PGA Tour star Xander Schauffele: "I can't sit all year long and feel sorry for myself"

Xander Schauffele has revealed he's contemplating adding another PGA Tour event to his schedule after 'rolling the dice' at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. 

Schauffele made his second start of the 2025 campaign at Bay Hill last week following an eight-week layoff due to a rib injury. 

The rust showed and the golfer, who won two major championships last season, barely made the 36-hole cut and battled his way to a share of 40th place. 

Schauffele told Golf Digest that the biggest takeaway from the week was that he played 72 holes without hurting himself after 'rolling the dice'. 

"That's the biggest thing he said," Schauffele said. 

He added: "But [I am] super happy with how I feel. 

"Definitely with the added golf, didn't feel any strain or any worse, so that's a big bonus."

Schauffele and 48 of the top 50 players in the OWGR will now turn their attention to the coveted Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. 

How does he feel about that prospect?

"I mean, I'm trying to convince myself to be in a good spot mentally, regardless,” he said. 

"I don't have to shake off whatever I can this week, but I can't sit all year long and feel sorry for myself, like, ‘Ah, I'm just rusty. I haven't played,' that stuff. 

"Doesn't matter in any sport. So it is what it is, and I'm going to have to pick up the pace."

Schauffele also confirmed that he is thinking about adding another event to his schedule ahead of the first major of the year.

The 31-year-old could tee it up at the Valspar Championship, Texas Children's Houston Open or Valero Texas Open. 

Rory McIlroy told reporters at Bay Hill that he's also undecided on the subject. 

Typically, the Northern Irishman plays the Valero Texas Open before heading to Georgia. 

"[I will just have to] see how I feel," Schauffele said. 

"I mean, two weeks in a row. I [haven't] played golf. 

"I played 27 holes coming into this week—and nine of them were on a par 3 [course]. 

"So, it's like I need to see how the body's feeling. If I'm tired at all or if I feel good."

"I'll head up there once or twice beforehand"

Rory McIlroy, who made a surprise equipment u-turn at Bay Hill, told reporters recent hurricane damage will affect his Masters prep. 

Augusta National was hit Helene last September. 

"Yeah, I think it’s just going to be a little bit different this year,” McIlroy said.

"Just with there’s some areas of the course that are maybe a little thinner tree-wise, just with the hurricane that rolled through.

“Sixteen's a new green. So, yeah, I'll probably go up there once or twice beforehand."

Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley previously insisted that despite the damage, the course will be in immaculate condition come April.