Xander Schauffele is gearing up for a barrage of banter during next week’s TGL final between New York Golf Club and Atlanta Drive, but he doesn’t expect any from Patrick Cantlay.
Schauffele’s New York squad has the opportunity to clinch the inaugural TGL championship at the SoFi Center, having ousted top-seeded Los Angeles Golf Club in the semifinal. The team’s next challenge is to overcome Atlanta Drive to secure the title.
Atlanta’s team includes Schauffele’s good friend and Ryder Cup teammate Cantlay, who has been playing alongside Justin Thomas, Max Homa, and Billy Horschel. Before his TGL showdown, Schauffele will be competing in the Valspar Championship on the PGA Tour this week.
While at the Copperhead Course, The Open champion was asked if there would be any verbal jousting between him and Cantlay in the final. Although Schauffele is ready to engage in some friendly ribbing, it seems Cantlay isn’t much for trash talk. He said: “Yeah, I don’t think Pat’s going to give me a whole lot of trash-talking back, that’s usually a one-way street when we’re together.”
Instead, Schauffele is setting his sights on one of Cantlay’s teammates, Billy Horschel, who he expects will have plenty to say during their match next week. “I think Billy, it’s almost impossible not to hear Billy when you’re out there,” the two-time major winner added.
“Billy will be the big one you got to, you know, don’t let him get too fired up or he’s going to run all over you.”
(Image: Getty Images)
The 2025 season hasn’t been kind to Schauffele, who’s battled through an injury that’s nagged at his ribs. Following a two-month layoff, the world No. 3 finally made his comeback at the Arnold Palmer Invitational fortnight ago, narrowly making the cut and ultimately tying for 40th place at Bay Hill.
He then experienced a similar tale at The Players Championship the following week, landing in 70th spot as his game clearly showed signs of rustiness. But this week at the Valspar, Schauffele has stepped up his game, kicking off with a respectable performance.
After the opening 18 holes on Thursday, the Champion Golfer of The Year was tied up in 23rd place, having posted a one-under-par 71.
- Source: NEWHD MEDIA
