Xander Schauffele receives injury boost ahead of imminent PGA Tour return

PGA Tour star Xander Schauffele has received a positive injury update but still remains out of competitive action, according to a report.

The Athletic's Gabby Herzig understands from Schauffele's team he is "recovering from a rib cage injury on his right side."

Herzig adds "it's an acute intercostal strain / micro tear and it looks like it happened in a pre-season workout towards the end of 2024."

It came to light last week the World No.2 was not even able to hit full shots as a result of his injury. 

But the good news for Schauffele fans this week is that he has now been given a green light to return to practice. 

It is expected that Schauffele, 31, will be able to return to PGA Tour action in February. 

Schauffele played The Sentry in Hawaii in the first week of January but slumped to tie for 30th.

He then suffered minor embarrassment on the opening night of TGL when his New York GC were thrashed 9-2 by The Bay GC. 

Schauffele was so disgusted with his own performance on his TGL debut that he joked: "I probably deserved to be booed."

He was then soon forced to withdraw from The American Express just like World No.1 Scottie Scheffler who underwent hand surgery following a Christmas Day blunder. 

Schauffele has since been ruled out of further PGA Tour events including this week's second signature event of the season, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. 

The two-time major champion will now be looking to recover from his latest injury setback ahead of a busy upcoming schedule.

Schauffele very much has eyes set on a first Green Jacket in April.

Should he win The Masters in less than three months' time then it would move him one leg away from completing the career grand slam at the US Open. 

The American enjoyed the most successful season of his career to date in 2024 with major victories at the US PGA and The Open. 

But after his slow, turbulent start to the new season it remains to be seen whether Schauffele can find a similar groove in 2024. 

The positive news at least for Schauffele fans is that he has been cleared by doctors to return to the practice range and commence full shots again. 

Scheffler returns to action on the PGA Tour this week having been ruled out for the past four weeks due to undergoing hand surgery.

The two-time Masters champion starts a warm 9/2 favourite in this week's $20m PGA Tour event.

Rory McIlroy is also in the field.

The World No.3 will be looking to shake off a disappointing opening match defeat to Tiger Woods' Jupiter Links GC on Monday night. 

Check out how much they are all playing for at Pebble Beach here. 

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