Father-son narratives in sports resonate deeply with Americans, and the tale of the Schauffeles stands out among the finest.
Stefan, who spent his formative years in Germany, was once a decathlete with aspirations of Olympic glory. His dreams, however, were shattered at the age of 20 when he was struck by a drunk driver, resulting in the loss of sight in one eye and significant life trauma.
“There were bouts of depression and alcohol issues,” he shared in a recent interview. “That’s what prompted my move to America.”
Stefan had a son, Xander, who took to playing golf at the age of nine. Stefan took on the role of coach, and they often had their share of intense debates—sometimes quite heated.
All those efforts bore fruit, culminating in a remarkable performance showcased last week at Royal Troon.
“Now that he’s won his first major,” Stefan remarked after Valhalla, “it’s the first of the four [the Schauffele team is not hesitating to aim for a Grand Slam].
“I have a strong feeling he’ll claim the second one of this year. Given his current consistency, everyone should take notice.”
Wise predictions. For several years, Schauffele was regarded as golf’s nearly-man—a player endowed with extraordinary talent but who struggled to translate that into wins.
This is his moment. Securing two majors within a single year is an extraordinary feat in today’s competitive environment, where numerous seasoned champions and fearless young players dominate.
Schauffele admitted to carrying a chip on his shoulder because of the criticism he faced, which he utilized as motivation.
What will drive him now that he’s a celebrated two-time major champion? “If you search hard enough, motivation is always there,” he stated.
“When you feel you need an extra push, there are plenty of ways to inspire yourself.
“There are many goals I still wish to accomplish in my career, and this victory is a significant step toward that. The fire within me is still burning, perhaps even brighter than before.”
Next on his agenda is the Paris Olympics, where he’ll defend his gold medal from Tokyo—a dream still to realize before he returns to the major circuit next year.
He will tackle this path as a two-time champion, evolving into a formidable force in the tough landscape of elite golf.
Small in stature, indeed. But Schauffele has emerged as a giant.
