XANDER SCHAUFFELE RETURNS TO COMPETITION AFTER RIB INJURY

Xander Schauffele shot a 67 in the opening round and an even-par 72 in the second round at the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, positioning himself in strong contention for the weekend. After completing his second round, Schauffele reflected on an injury that had sidelined him for six to seven weeks at the start of the 2025 season. He told the media that the time away from competition had given him renewed appreciation for professional golf. Schauffele said the injury "pisses me off" but that he had missed being on tour and practising.

Schauffele sustained an acute intercostal micro tear in a rib during the 2024 offseason, which prevented him from competing until the Arnold Palmer Invitational. This injury came after a successful 2024 campaign in which he won the PGA Championship and the Open Championship, following a winless 2023. He had also taken an intentional break during the 2025 offseason to spend time with his wife and his son, Viktor. Scans returned clear within weeks of his return, though pain persisted for approximately a year after the initial injury.

Upon his comeback to competition, Schauffele said he felt relief that his body could withstand playing again, despite finishing 40th in his return event. The 10-time PGA Tour winner described lingering uncertainty about whether pain in the affected area was phantom sensation or genuine discomfort. His ability to compete at the U.S. Open represented a significant milestone in his recovery from the injury.