They say in golf that two days are never the same.
That’s exactly what Xander Schauffele declared in posting a sizzling seven-under 65 to grab an early two-shot lead mid-round on day two of the Players Championship.
The double major winning American had signed for a opening day 67 that included hitting just five of the 14 Stadium Course fairways but then a superb display off the tee on day two and Schauffele benefitted enormously in hitting all 14 fairways at TPC Sawgrass.
Schauffele proudly headed to a well-earned lunch leading by two strokes at 12-under.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES … Just ask @XSchauffele @CallawayGolf @CallawayGolfEU
The double major champ hits just 5⃣ f’ways in @THEPLAYERS opening 69 & a day later enjoys the c/house lead by two shots in a round of 65 after hitting all 1⃣4⃣ f’ways @TPCSawgrass … pic.twitter.com/ZEbaENJAMw
— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) March 13, 2026
The 2024 PGA and Open Champion is chasing a first victory since last October’s Baycurrent Classic success on the PGA Tour, and after his opening two Sawgrass rounds the 32-year-old has put himself in frame for a hopeful 11th PGA Tour win.
“Yeah, wasn’t aware of all the fairways hit“, he said in reminded of his effort off the tee.
“Definitely nice to hit all of them, especially on this property. Definitely for the most part I felt like I was in control and felt like I was attacking the golf course versus playing defensive.
“It’s always easy to be aggressive from the fairway here. There’s quite a few wedges if you’re able to hit it in some sort of tight spots, which we were able to do today. Might as well take advantage of the greens being just a hair softer. But I think they’re slowly firming up“.
Then asked what was the difference in you driving it yesterday and today, the World No. 10 responded with a smile on his face.
“I hit every fairway, yeah“.
Although Schauffele did reveal: “I saw Chris (Como) last night just for a little bit, about 7:30 before the sun went down, and tried to get some sort of feel to go with. I felt like it was close.
“I hit a lot of really good iron shots yesterday, and if I’m doing that, I know the driver and sort of longer stuff isn’t too far off“.
