Xander Schauffele Sets Return Date from Nagging Rib Injury

Two-time Major Champion and World #2 Xander Schauffele has officially set his return date after recovering from a nagging rib injury that has sidelined him for months.

Schauffele has missed out on several big tournaments that kicked off the 2025 PGA TOUR season, including the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Schauffele did appear at the Sentry Tournament of Champions, but the injury occurred during that tournament. He finished T30.

However, Schauffele has finally set a date of return, and it is sooner than you might think.

According to Today’s Golfer, Schauffele is set to return next week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, which will be his second appearance on TOUR this year.

Xander Schauffele is set to return to action @APInv next week. pic.twitter.com/GMd0qpMoxO

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 28, 2025

The issue that has truly slowed down his return to golf is the fact that the rib cage is a constantly used area of the body, and the balance of recovery and staying sharp has provided the Schauffele camp with some additional stress:

“It’s been a slow recovery, the ribcage seems to be a nagging, slowish recovery area due to a lack of blood flow and the constant use. I just wanted to be 100% before I returned and sacrificed a bit on this front end [of the season] to make sure the back end is safe.”

Schauffele attempted to play at the first TGL match, which he admits might have been a mistake:

“I probably should have taken that first TGL match off… maybe I would have been able to come back sooner, but that’s just hindsight obviously.”

As a precautionary measure, Schauffele admits he’s been on a ball count, and is hitting fewer drivers in an effort to keep the tender area on the mend. He’s only been hitting golf balls for about a week, he said.

He’s ready to get back, it seems:

“It’s been my first go at it really, sitting out for a significant period and watching other guys play, so it has been frustrating. But it is what it is. At first, it was a tough pill to swallow. But I’ve come to terms with the fact I’m making these decisions for my long-term health. I’ve been super lucky up until this point, you know.”

Schauffele finally broke through last year by winning the PGA Championship and The Open Championship, his first two victories at Majors.

Cover Image via PGA TOUR