Xander Schauffele has liked to pass himself off as a late bloomer.

Not a soul in golf is going to believe that anymore.

In an extraordinary end to his rookie season on the PGA Tour, the native San Diegan and San Diego State alum won the Tour Championship on Sunday at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.

Looking cool and confident the entire round, Schauffele closed with a 2-under-par 68 to finish with a 12-under total that was one better than Justin Thomas, the five-time tour winner this season who captured the FedEx Cup title and its $10 million prize.


While Thomas missed a birdie putt on the par-5 18th by inches, the 23-year-old Schauffele birdied the finishing hole after launching a 347-yard drive down the middle. His 1½-foot birdie putt ended up being good by a fraction of an inch, the ball rotating around most of the cup before tumbling in.

Schauffele flashed a sheepish smile.

“I was embarrassed,” he said later.

That would wear off quickly for the first rookie ever to win the Tour Champioinship.


In addition to being the first player to be given the “Calamity Jane” trophy – a replica of Bobby Jones’ beloved putter – Schauffele was to receive a check for $3.5 million – a combination of his winnings for the tournament ($1.58 million) and his bonus for vaulting into third place in the FedEx Cup race.

Schauffele’s official season money total is $4.3 million after he earned $142,292 in the regular season as a rookie on the Web.com Tour in 2016.

“Five months ago, two months ago, three hours ago I wasn’t really expecting a whole lot,” Schauffele said in a press conference. “And to be sitting here with this bad boy (trophy) right here is very special, and I can’t thank my team enough and everyone that’s helped me to get here.”

As is his personality, Schauffele was understated in speaking of his success, while others were raving.


“This ranks way up there for a guy who came out of nowhere, so to speak, in a big championship,” commentator Johnny Miller said on the television broadcast. “You would have never picked him. He never leaked oil.”

Added another commentator, Gary Koch, “He’s had a remarkable year.”

Schauffele has measured himself against the likes of Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas – who like him were members of the high school class of 2011. They had higher profiles as juniors and college players, and both captured PGA Tour titles and major championships before him.

Now Schauffele finds himself at least in their company. The top three in the final standings for the FedEx Cup: Thomas, Spieth, Schauffele. While Spieth and Thomas began the week in the No. 1 and 2 spots, respectively, Schauffele was 26th.


The San Diegan barely made the final tournament, getting into the top 30 in the standings when he rallied with four birdies and an eagle on the last six holes of the BMW Championship a week ago.

Watching at home in San Diego on Sunday, Aztecs head golf coach Ryan Donovan marveled at how comfortable Schauffele looked in such a high-pressure situation.

“I think he embraced it and was really enjoying it,” Donovan said.

“It’s almost like it was scripted, like it was going to happen. Everything fell into place. Everything he seems to do turns into magic. I’m not surprised, by any means.”


For the week, Schauffele putted beautifully, making 67 of his 69 putts inside 10 feet. He converted from some nervy distances on Sunday, and on the 17th hole he made a beautiful chip to get up and down for par after a rare errant drive into the trees.

“Never been in this position before and he is performing like a veteran,” said commentator David Feherty.

Schauffele’s win brought some national love to San Diego State, as NBC golf anchor Dan Hicks noted the football team’s 4-0 start.

“Go San Diego!” Miller said.


Born in La Jolla and an alum of Scripps Ranch High, Schauffele grew up being coached by only his dad, Stefan, who was on hand for the victory. In recent years, he added Derek Uyeda, an instructor at The Grand in Del Mar, as his putting coach. His caddie is his former teammate at SDSU, Austin Kaiser.

Schauffele did have a slow start to his college career, transferring from Long Beach to SDSU after his freshman season. He won his first tournament as a junior and would add another his senior year.

The breakthrough victory came in the 2014 California State Amateur at La Costa, when Schauffele beat Beau Hossler.

“They have put in so much work,” Donovan said of Schauffele’s team. “Behind the scenes, nobody knows about that. He’s had a game plan all the way through.”


For Thomas, the FedEx Cup title was a fitting way to end one of the best seasons in recent years on the PGA Tour. Thomas, 24, won five tournaments, including the PGA Championship.

Beyond Schauffele, there were two other San Diegans in the Tour Championship. Torrey Pines High alum Pat Perez finished solo 16th and placed a career-high 15th in the FedEx Cup. Charley Hoffman (Poway High) tied for 28th and finished 20th in the standings.

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× San Diego golfer Xander Schauffele talks with sports writer Tod Leonard about turning pro. Video by David Brooks.


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