As the US Open nears, all eyes are naturally drawn to world number one Scottie Scheffler. But lurking quietly in the shadows is Xander Schauffele, whose consistency in this event deserves closer attention.
Scheffler enters the week off wins at both The Memorial and the PGA Championship, making him the clear favourite in the eyes of many. But the US Open is never straightforward, and a deep field means others will back themselves to step up.
Schauffele, ranked third in the world, has every reason to be optimistic given his remarkable track record in this major.
Few players in history can match Schauffele’s consistency at this championship. In fact, only Sam Snead and Jack Nicklaus have had similar stretches of success in terms of regular top finishes.
What to expect at Oakmont from Xander Schauffele
Tackling the US Open setup is never easy, and this year’s challenge at Oakmont looks brutal as ever. The greens are expected to be lightning fast, and the rough unforgiving.
But Schauffele, no stranger to the demands of this major, has shown he can navigate these conditions better than most. His blend of patience and composure — along with a proven ability to grind out rounds — should serve him well once again.
It’s also worth remembering that golf is as much mental as it is physical. Schauffele’s deep experience and confidence in this event could prove decisive in the end.
This season hasn’t yet delivered the heights Schauffele achieved in 2024, when he won two majors. But with his game rounding into form — and an unmatched record of consistency — he remains a serious contender at a venue where staying power counts for everything.
Schauffele’s US Open record
You don’t stay among the world’s elite by accident, and Schauffele’s consistent results at the US Open speak volumes.
| Year | Venue | Scorecard | To Par | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Erin Hills | 66–73–70–69 = 278 | –10 | T5 |
| 2018 | Shinnecock Hills | 72–74–72–68 = 286 | +6 | T6 |
| 2019 | Pebble Beach | 66–73–71–67 = 277 | –7 | T3 |
| 2020 | Winged Foot | 68–72–70–74 = 284 | +4 | 5 |
| 2021 | Torrey Pines (South Course) | 72–69–70–72 = 283 | –1 | T7 |
| 2022 | The Country Club | 70–69–75–68 = 282 | +2 | T14 |
| 2023 | Los Angeles Country Club (North Course) | 62–70–73–72 = 277 | –3 | T10 |
| 2024 | Pinehurst Resort & Country Club (Course No. 2) | 70–69–72–68 = 279 | –1 | T7 |
His worst finish is a tie for 14th in 2022, and he’s been inside the top 10 in three of the last four editions. In fact, he placed in the top six for each of his first three appearances.
If he can lean into that track record, Schauffele could easily find himself back in the mix again this weekend — and that’s exactly where he thrives.
The post Why Xander Schauffele is the US Open dark horse, he has a record only Jack Nicklaus and Sam Snead match appeared first on HITC.
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