KAPALUA (Hawaii) — ESPN’s Chris Berman and Xander Schauffele had been exchanging texts for several weeks. They were discussing how they would repeat their feat as champions of Wednesday’s pro-am at Sentry Tournament of Champions.
On Tuesday night at the pro am draw party, NBC/Golf Channel announcer Mark Rolfing announced that Schauffele had withdrawn with an injury. Berman was devastated, but he ended up playing with Tony Finau.
Schauffele, 29 years old, rallied to reach the first tee at Kapalua Resort’s Plantation Course on Thursday and was crowned 3-under 70.
“Just trying to find out what it is. Schauffele, 2019 TOC champion, said that it was a “bummer” and confirmed that he had not yet undergone an MRI. “It’s a favorite place to play, so I hope that the gears kick into gear here in a couple of days.”
Schauffele identified his injury to his back in the posterior chain.
He said, “I got everybody working on it.” “I was moving. I moved around and swung. I tried to swing the club several times.
He admitted that he was working to improve his swing, and that his clubhead speed was dropping.
He said, “Kindly just swinging. A little powder-puffing is out there on some holes.”
Schauffele, ranked No. 6. in the world, and a three time winner last season. He first complained about back problems at the Hero World Challenge in December and stated that it was the first time he had ever dealt with back problems.
“So, this is new for me. He said that this is why I don’t know how I can answer these questions because I’ve never been asked. “Hopefully, we won’t have to have these conversations more often.”
Schauffele stated that he would seek additional treatment once the tournament was over. He also said that he would return home to receive more treatment.
