Xander Schauffele's past comments about Scottie Scheffler speak volumes after the latter won Olympic gold in Paris. Both golfers have been in strong form in 2024, with Schauffele winning the PGA Championship and The Open, and Scheffler securing an Olympic triumph after clinching a green jacket at the Masters.
The pair were among the favourites to win gold at the Games, though Schauffele ended up seven strokes behind his fellow American, who pipped Team GB's Tommy Fleetwood to the top prize by a single stroke. Scheffler's triumph wasn't a massive shock, not least to Schauffele, who suggested his compatriot was the man to beat heading into the tournament.
When asked if his two major victories in 2024 had reshaped the discussion around Scheffler’s recent dominance, the 30-year-old quickly shut it down. "I always say this but Scottie is on top of this mountain and he is way ahead of us climbing up on the side," he told the Daily Mail
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Scheffler's form aside, Schauffele says he's got his eye on securing a career grand slam (winning all four majors). Just five individuals have achieved the feat; Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
Schauffele is halfway there, with victories in the Masters and the US Open standing between him and a place on the front page of the history books. "The career slam has always been written down as something I've wanted," he admitted.
"Getting to two after not having one for such a long time is something that feels really good. Expectations can be a mean thing and I think all people in sport have a certain amount of cortisol in the body. You stress, you get anxious, have hard times. I have.
"So to get to two is great, and it makes me remember writing this stuff down with my dad at 13 or 14 - number one player in the world, majors, all these things."
"No question, he'll do it at some point. Rory's too talented, too good," Woods said. "He's going to be playing this event for a very long time. He'll get it done. It's just a matter of when."
"I think Rory will be a great Masters champion one day, and it could be this week. You never know. I just think that the talent he has, the way he plays the game and how the golf course fits his eye, it's just a matter of time."
