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Xander Schauffele’s first major breakthrough came with major perks. By winning the PGA Championship on Sunday with a birdie at the 72nd hole, Schauffele is exempt into the PGA Championship for the rest of his career, and he’s guaranteed a spot at the other three majors for the next five years.
Of course, that type of job security has fed rumours that Schauffele could defect from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf and pick up a huge paycheck while he’s guaranteed major access, which is generally harder for LIV players without world ranking points.
But Schauffele’s father, Stefan Schauffele, told Golf.com that such a defection is not on the cards.
“No chance,” Stefan Schauffele said in an interview published Monday. “Xander is not chasing the money. Xander is about legacy. And as my opinion, just as his father, there was never a chance.”
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Xander Schauffele holed a long birdie putt on the 14th hole at Valhalla to extend his lead to two shots during the closing stages of the third round in PGA Championship
The elder Schauffele, who has also served as Xander’s swing coach throughout his life, explained that the family listened to LIV’s offers in the past.
“What we told LIV in Saudi Arabia, with Xander beside me, was that if there is no path back to the PGA Tour and if there is no chance at World Ranking points we do not have anything to talk about,” Stefan Schauffele said.
“Even if you throw hundreds of millions of dollars at him. That word still stands.”
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Xander Schauffele became the first player in PGA Championship history to card a round of 62 with a sensational performance on day one at Valhalla
Stefan Schauffele has spoken openly on monetary topics before. At last year’s Ryder Cup, he said players should be paid directly for their participation (as opposed to donations to their charities). He claimed his son nearly lost his spot on the U.S. team with the PGA of America after contract issues were raised.
It was rumoured that Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay were not wearing their uniform hats for part of the Ryder Cup as a form of protest over not being compensated. That, in turn, has fuelled Schauffele-to-LIV rumours, as LIV has continued to peel away the world’s best golfers with massive guaranteed paydays.
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If not LIV, what is next for the 30-year-old PGA champ? He will be a favourite at more majors going forward.
Schauffele also moved to No. 2 in the Official World Golf Ranking on Monday, though he said after Sunday’s victory that he still feels he’s chasing World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.
“Those are valid goals and they’re alive, more alive than yesterday,” Stefan Schauffele said.
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