YOKOHAMA, Japan – Xander Schauffele’s victory at the Baycurrent Classic may not be the most prestigious of his career, but it will certainly be one of the most memorable.
Schauffele signed a card of 64 strokes, seven under par, on Sunday, securing the triumph in Japan, a country with deep family ties for the American golfer.
With a total of 265 strokes, 19 under par, in four rounds at the Yokohama Country Club, Schauffele beat Max Greyserman by one stroke, who was also runner-up in the same event the previous year.
Schauffele’s connection to Japan is significant: his maternal grandparents reside there, his mother has roots in Taiwan and grew up in Japan, and his mother-in-law is Japanese. In addition, his wife is half-Japanese and was raised in Okinawa.Xander Schauffele’s mother was born in Taiwan but grew up in Japan.“I’ve been coming here since I was about 9 years old to visit my grandparents,” Schauffele commented. “I fell in love with this country a long time ago. I can’t wait to bring my son here when he’s old enough to understand and appreciate Japanese culture.”
“The Schauffele family’s ties to Japan run deep,” he added.
Schauffele and his wife, Maya, became parents a little over a month ago.
“It’s something new, but being a father is incredible, and I’m very excited to go home to him and Maya after this,” Schauffele expressed.
The golfer was supported during the tournament by family members, including his 81-year-old grandmother, who accompanied him on the course. Schauffele anticipated a “reunion” with his family to celebrate.
“I don’t see them very often, and they’ve always been generous with their time to come and watch me play,” he said. “They’ve been incredible with me, and this is very special. I really wanted to share a victory with them, so I can’t wait to meet up with them.”Xander Schauffele poses with his family members after winning the Baycurrent Classic. His maternal grandparents live in Japan, his mother-in-law is Japanese, and his wife is half Japanese and grew up in Japan’s southern island of Okinawa.Greyserman finished with 65 strokes, after having led or shared the lead in the first three rounds. Michael Thorbjornsen recorded 64 strokes and was three strokes behind the winner.
Schauffele, who has conquered two major championships, including the Open Championship in 2024, and won the gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, has amassed an impressive list of PGA Tour titles, but this triumph holds a special significance.
The favorable conditions and calm winds favored low scores. Matt McCarty shot a 60, eleven under par, although he finished nine strokes behind the leader. Takumi Kanaya, for his part, signed a card of 62, nine under par, finishing five strokes behind the winner.
McCarty had the possibility of a 58, but a shot on the last hole sent him into the trees, settling for a bogey and a 60. Jim Furyk holds the PGA Tour record with a 58 in the final round of the Travelers Championship in 2016.
