Xander Schauffele issues injury update with Masters looming

It’s only seven weeks until The Masters, but world No.2 Xander Schauffele is still to return from injury.

The American has been ruled out of action since The Sentry after sustaining a rib injury, which was later diagnosed as an acute intercostal strain/micro tear.

While he appeared in TGL’s debut last month, Schauffele has been forced to miss the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, as well as the Farmers Insurance Open and the relocated Genesis Invitational – both in his hometown of San Diego.

And with the first major of the season looming, he is desperate to tee it up as soon as possible.

“I want to get as many reps under the belt before the Masters,” Schauffele told Golfweek.

“It would be nice to get the competitive blood flowing a few times before going into a really big event and also have The Players coming up.”

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In other words, Schauffele is targetting a return at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando, which begins March 6.

“Taking the Genesis off gives me three weeks leading into Bay Hill,” he said.

The injury happened during the off-season, and Schauffele blamed it on overuse before playing through the discomfort at The Sentry, where he finished 30th.

After his best year to date, winning the PGA Championship and The Open, he said he knew the injury was only getting worse.

Schauffele admitted that he could have contested last week’s Signature Event on the South Course at Torrey Pines, but didn’t want to risk aggravating the injury more.

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“Everyone I’ve talked to said the worst thing you can do is come back too soon. Guys have told me about being hurt six to 12 weeks later.

“I don’t want to deal with a stop-and-go. I just want to go. I’ve been instructed to be patient and make sure I’m 100 percent.”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.