Xander Schauffele has been unable to usurp Scottie Scheffler despite a brilliant year

It begs the question how Schauffele closes the gap — if he can at all. “It seems I need to have the best career ever just to come close to Scheffler,” Schauffele said. “I’m pretty content with how I played and where my game is at,” Schauffele added. “If I can keep on doing what I’m doing, I’d be very pleased.”

Two-time major winner Collin Morikawa will hope to defend his Zozo Championship crown but is an underdog this week according to bookmakers, who tout Schauffele as the tournament favorite.

Schauffele does not have to worry about Scheffler this time around as the competition recently announced the field, with only three of the world’s top-10 fighters making the trip. Tiger Woods was also a noticeable absentee, with rumors circulating that one of the game’s consensus GOATs is not fully fit following another surgery on his spasming back, in September.

Schauffele’s main competition for the title this week will be Morikawa and Hideki Matsuyama, as well as outside chances from the likes of Sahith Theegala, Max Homa, and Justin Thomas. There is a total of $8.5 million to compete for, with the winner receiving a cool $1.53 million.