Schauffele Reclaims Victory in Yokohama with a Final-Round Burst
In a dramatic conclusion at the Baycurrent Classic in Yokohama, Xander Schauffele secured his first title since lifting the Open Championship last year. The American star fired a brilliant final round 64, highlighted by eight birdies, to finish at 19-under and edge out fellow American Max Greyserman by a single stroke at the prestigious Yokohama Country Club.
The win marks a notable return to form for Schauffele, who had battled a rib injury that disrupted his momentum after his major triumph at Royal Troon and the Ryder Cup setback at Bethpage Black. After a challenging year, the 31-year-old summarized the feeling of re-discovering his best game: “It feels good, it’s nice to know I’ve still got it. It was a rough year but my team dragged me through it. Hopefully I’m catching my stride. It was a big learning experience with the injury this year.”
Schauffele’s victory carried an emotional resonance beyond the scoreboard. He spoke of the significance of winning in Japan, a country with deep personal meaning, noting that his mother grew up there and his grandparents still live in the country. The Baycurrent Classic crowd roared as Schauffele rolled in clutch birdies late on Sunday, sealing a victory he clearly cherished on multiple fronts.
Final Round Drama: Birdies, Eagles, and a Dash for the Lead
While Schauffele executed a near-perfect round, the leaderboard was tightly bunched behind him. Max Greyserman, who had been in contention most of the weekend, tried to mount a charge with a front-nine surge, but ultimately settled for a runner-up finish after a steady closing stretch from Schauffele. In third place, Michael Thorbjornsen briefly drew even with an eagle at the fourth hole, but could not sustain the attack and finished at 16-under, three adrift of the winner.
Other notable performances included Collin Morikawa, who ended the event tied for 14th on 10-under, a reminder that the American talent pool remains deep as the PGA TOUR season shifts across the globe. For Morikawa, the Baycurrent Classic offered valuable rounds ahead of forthcoming major and invitational events, underscoring what remains a busy stretch of international golf.
From the Clubhouse: Round of the Day and the Afterglow
Matt McCarty delivered the best single round of the day, carding an eagle-tinged 11-under 60. He rattled off 12 birdies, including an eight-birdie run on the back nine, but a solitary bogey at the 18th prevented a sub-60 score that would have matched the all-time rounds in the event’s history. Still, McCarty’s performance turned heads and provided a takeaway that depth and consistency can still shine on a challenging course.
The Baycurrent Classic delivered a compact, high-stakes duel under Japan’s springlike skies. With Schauffele’s victory, the tour gains renewed momentum toward the next swing across Asia and back into the European leg of the schedule. The win also serves as a meaningful marker for Schauffele personally—a reaffirmation after a year of injuries and adjustments that he remains among the sport’s top competitors.
What This Means Going Forward
For Schauffele, this win is more than a title. It signals a strategic reset, a return to form after an injury-disrupted season, and a timely boost of confidence ahead of major championships and Ryder Cup considerations. For fans, the Baycurrent Classic provided compelling, live drama: a race to the finish, a familiar face at the top of the leaderboard, and a reminder that the transition from spring to summer on the global circuit is rarely dull.
As the PGA TOUR schedule resumes, eyes will turn to the nextp a string of events in the United States and abroad, where Schauffele will look to build on this momentum. The 64 on Sunday serves as a blueprint—accuracy, patience, and the willingness to take calculated risks when the moment demands it.
