Xander Schauffele Welcomes Son, Takes Time Off Before Ryder Cup
Xander Schauffele, one of America’s top golfers, has stepped away from competition for the most heartwarming of reasons – he and his wife Maya recently welcomed their baby boy, Victor, into the world. The 31-year-old golfer, who had a breakthrough 2024 season winning both the PGA Championship and The Open, is understandably taking time with his growing family ahead of the upcoming Ryder Cup. This family milestone means Schauffele will not be joining his American teammates at the Procore Championship, prioritizing these precious early moments of fatherhood over tournament play. His absence was somewhat anticipated, as he mentioned last month at the BMW Championship that his participation would depend on his baby’s birth timing and his need for rest, saying plainly, “If I don’t think playing is going to help me, then I won’t play.”
The new father’s 2024-25 season has been a mixed journey compared to his stellar previous year. After missing the early portion of the season with a rib injury, Schauffele has maintained his remarkable consistency in one respect – extending his streak of made cuts to an impressive 71 consecutive tournaments. However, despite this reliability, he hasn’t managed to capture a tournament victory this season. His performances in the majors have been solid if not spectacular, with top-10 finishes at both The Masters and The Open Championship, though he wasn’t able to crack the top five in either event. This consistency without victories represents an interesting chapter for a golfer who had recently found his way to the winner’s circle in golf’s biggest events.
Despite the lack of wins this season, Schauffele’s impressive 2024 campaign secured his automatic qualification for the upcoming Ryder Cup team, where he’ll represent the United States for the third time in his career. The biennial competition, which pits America’s best golfers against Europe’s finest, begins on September 26th at Bethpage Black in New York. Schauffele and Bryson DeChambeau (who is ineligible as a LIV Golf player not currently on the PGA Tour) are the only members of the American squad not participating in the Procore Championship. The American team enters this year’s contest with a strong desire for redemption after their disappointing loss to the Europeans in the 2023 competition.
The timing of Victor’s birth presents Schauffele with a unique balance to strike – embracing his new role as a father while preparing for one of golf’s most pressure-filled team competitions. For professional athletes, these life milestones often create complex emotional and logistical challenges, especially when they coincide with major career events. Schauffele now joins the ranks of professional golfers managing the delicate balance between competitive excellence and family priorities, a juggling act that many of his peers have navigated before him. The mental freshness that comes from time away could potentially benefit his performance when he returns to competition.
From a career perspective, Schauffele stands at an interesting juncture. Having finally broken through for major championship victories after years of close calls, he has established himself among golf’s elite players. His consistency – evidenced by that remarkable cut streak – speaks to his technical excellence and mental fortitude on the course. Though this season hasn’t yielded trophies, the foundation of his game remains strong, suggesting his competitive window remains wide open despite the new responsibilities of parenthood. Many golfers have found that the perspective gained through parenthood actually enhances their professional performance, providing both motivation and a healthy sense of what matters beyond golf.
As the Ryder Cup approaches, Schauffele will soon transition from diaper duty to team room camaraderie. The American side will be counting on his steady presence and major-winning experience when they face the Europeans at Bethpage Black. The home crowd advantage, combined with the talent-laden American roster, creates high expectations for the U.S. team. For Schauffele personally, the tournament represents a chance to add another meaningful achievement to a career that continues to blossom. But regardless of how the competition unfolds, 2024 will forever stand as a landmark year in his life – the year he became not just a major champion, but a father. As he prepares to don the red, white and blue once again, he does so with a new perspective and perhaps an even stronger purpose than before.
