Baycurrent Classic: Schauffele Returns to Victory Lane in Japan
The Baycurrent Classic in Yokohama delivered a dramatic finish as Xander Schauffele captured his first title since the 2024 Open Championship. The American fired a final-round 64, highlighted by eight birdies, to finish at 19-under par and claim the tournament by one stroke over fellow American Max Greyserman.
Round Recap and Final Leaderboard
Schauffele, who started the day with a chance to extend his lead, sealed the win with a composed afternoon round at Yokohama Country Club. He finished one shot clear of Max Greyserman, who carded a sparkling 67 in the final round to reach 18-under. The rest of the top of the leaderboard was stacked with young American talent:
- Matt Thorbjornsen (US) finished at 16-under, tied for third with Aaron Smalley (US), Kanaya (JPN), Hoey (PHI), Higgo (SA), and An (KOR).
Veteran prospects and Ryder Cup teammates also posted strong rounds, with Collin Morikawa finishing T14 at 10-under. British/Irish challenger Michael Wallace ended at 11-under, while Matt McCarty and Rasmus Hoejgaard (Denmark) made notable pushes closer to the weekend.
Schauffele’s Road Back and a Special Win in Japan
For Schauffele, the Baycurrent Classic marked a meaningful return to the winner’s circle after a challenging stretch. The 31-year-old has battled a rib injury early in the year, an issue that disrupted the momentum he carried from his 2024 Open Championship triumph at Royal Troon and his subsequent PGA Championship victory. He admitted to having doubts about even contending for titles again but said his support team kept him afloat during the tough times.
“It was a rough year but my team dragged me through it. They pick me up when I’m down,” Schauffele said. “Hopefully I’m catching my stride. It was a big learning experience with the injury this year.”
Special Connection to Japan
Schauffele described the win as “special” because of his personal ties to Japan; his mother grew up there and his grandparents still reside in the country. The victory is not only a career milestone but also a personal homecoming moment that adds another layer of significance to his season’s narrative.
Notable Rounds from the Field
Matt McCarty’s final round was the standout performance of the day, as he blistered the course with 12 birdies and a back-nine run of eight consecutive birdies. The late surge nearly delivered an under-par sub-60 round, but a bogey on the 18th left him at 11-under for the round and 8-under for the tournament. Other contenders—like Greyserman and Thorbjornsen—pushed Schauffele throughout the weekend, but it wasn’t enough to topple the new Baycurrent Classic champion.
Looking Ahead
Schauffele returns to higher-profile events with renewed confidence and momentum heading into the stretch run of the season. He’s already proven he can bounce back from adversity and climb back into position in big events, a frustrating year mollified by this important late-season victory. The Baycurrent Classic results will shape expectations as he and a rising cohort of American players chase major glory once again.
