Philadelphia, PA …
Xander Schauffele boosted hopes not only of defending next fortnight’s Tour Championship crown but also securing the last place into the USA Ryder Cup team in posting a 63 on day one of the BMW Championship in Philadephia.
Schauffele, 24 began with a bogey but bounced back to birdie eight of the next 15 holes for a seven-under tally and finish the day third in sauna-like condition on the Aronimink course.
It left the Californian-born golfer trailing just one stroke behind the leading duo of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy who signed for rounds of an eight-under par 62.
“It was a hot out there today and starting the round or before the round I told myself to stay focused as much as possible and stay hydrated and kind of limit the mental mistakes,” Schaufelle said.
“I got away with maybe two shots today but overall I am very happy with the start.
Schaufelle arrived in Philadelphia lying 41st on the FedEx Cup points table and needing to finish among the top-30 this week to be assured of teeing-up in the September 20th season finale in Atlanta.
A year ago, Schaufelle shocked the golf world in recording a second victory in 2017 with success in the Tour Championship while this season he’s built on that winning form finishing runner-up in both the prestigious Players Championship and joint second in the 147th Open Championship at Carnoustie.
Now after his first round in the third of four FedEx Cup Play-Off series events Schaufelle is projected to move to 15th on the points table that would assure him of teeing-up in Atlanta.
“I had no idea what to expect coming into this week,” he said
“It’s only a tournament you can win or a play-off event is a tournament you can win, you don’t get invited back. You got to earn every step and I’m trying to do that.
“I want to be able to defend my Tour Championship title and I think the stats are out whoever won the Tour Championship never made it back the next year.
“There’s a reason for that. It’s hard. It’s just tricky, you know. I felt like I was in a good position and sort of my spot dwindled away as I started to play poorly in the Play-Offs.
“So, I am happy to have this start here.”
And there is the matter next Monday morning (US Eastern time) of Schaufelle earning Jim Furyk’s final Ryder Cup ‘wildcard’ pick, and after having missed out on qualifying automatically by three places in finishing 12th on the points table.
Tony Finau, who ended Ryder Cup qualifying in 14th, is widely tipped to earn Furyk’s favour but that could all change should Schaufelle succeed this week.
“I felt like I have approached all the Play-Offs the same with that sense of urgency and that is tying and still trying to make the Ryder Cup,” he said.
“It’s going the take a lot for me to make that late push. But you know, all you can do is try your hardest and sort of see where the cards fall.
“There is added pressure for me to try to play really well to make it on the Ryder Cup. I didn’t handle that very well. Also, the way I finished last year, I was supposed to come out — I felt I was supposed to come out here and win and make it look easy.
“It’s been quite the contrast. We’re dealing with that and just trying to get better.”
Finau managed four birdies and also posted half-as-many bogeys in a 68 to be sharing 30th place at two-under par.
