Xander Schauffele responds to golf fans calling him a "choker" after The Players

Xander Schauffele might be a seven-time PGA Tour winner and an Olympic gold medallist but that has not prevented a number of golf fans on social media from labelling the American as a "choke artist" following his latest near-miss at The Players Championship over the weekend. 

Schauffele, 30, held a narrow one-stroke lead heading into the final round of the PGA Tour's flagship event of the season.

Despite remaining in that position with five holes to play, Schauffele went bogey-bogey on holes 14 and 15 to leave the door open for World No.1 Scottie Scheffler to walk on through and become the first player to successfully defend the title in the 50-year history of The Players Championship. 

Schauffele ended up carding a final-round 70 to finish one shot back in T2. 

To Schauffele's defence, Scheffler did scorch the famous Sawgrass turf in an 8-under 64.

He also had reigning US Open champion Wyndham Clark and reigning Open champion Brian Harman breathing down his neck for much of the back nine. 

• Wyndham Clark accused by golf fans of 'cheating' in the rough for a second time in a week (?!)

But those two costly bogeys at 14 and 15 when in contention for his first Players title, along with a missed seven-footer for birdie on the Island Green Par-3 17th were enough for those punters that lost money on him Schauffele's haters to come out in force. 

It marked a second career runner-up finish at The Players Championship for Schauffele, who is still bidding to pick up his first career major title having come close at both The Masters and The Open down the years. 

Schauffele, who has not won a title since the Scottish Open in July 2022, is now the highest-ranked player in the world (fifth) without a major title to his name. 

"Xander Schauffele: Hall of Fame choke artist," as written by one golf fan appeared a common theme on Twitter on Sunday night. 

Here's a selection of tweets: 

So what does Schauffele have to say after another title slipped through his fingertips? 

When pressed by one reporter about his haters saying it's another big tournament where he failed to close things out, Schauffele replied: 

Schauffele will attempt to get back on his high horse and land an eighth PGA Tour title at this week's Valspar Championship where he starts a warm 7/1 tournament favourite ahead of course specialist and two-time Valspar winner Sam Burns (11/1). 

Despite his latest near-miss at The Players Championship, Schauffele revealed he intends to look forwards rather than back. 

Schauffele said: 

What do you make of Schauffele? Is he really a "choke artist" or is that an unfair assessment from a number of golf fans? Will he ever win a major title? Share your thoughts and comments over on the GolfMagic social media channels.

Take me to more golf news!