PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

May 17, 2026

Xander Schauffele

Aronimink Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. How did it go today?

XANDER SCHAUFFELE: Yeah, it was just tricky enough. Those guys that were -- Aaron's round at 5-under this late in the day is impressive. He's a couple of groups behind me, and that's some really good golf.

Yeah, you really had to kind of hang tough all day and really capitalize on some small spots. For me to bogey a drivable hole there that got away from me, I was trying to be aggressive. I figured I needed to make birdie and tried to be aggressive and ended up making bogey. That's just what this course can do to you.

Q. Do you think seeing Kitayama this morning shooting 7-under added frustration?

XANDER SCHAUFFELE: No. The greens were a lot darker, and he was playing incredible golf, you know what I mean? You're seeing guys spin balls back this morning on coverage.

Everyone earns their tee time, and everyone earns what they shoot as well. He shot the lowest, I think, final round score in major history, 63. So he played incredibly well.

Aaron's only a couple shots off that mark, which is incredible as well. There's some really good golf. Yeah, I just didn't play very well.

Q. We keep talking about coming back after we're off for a bit. This is part of that progression, do you think?

XANDER SCHAUFFELE: Yeah, I hung in there. I thought I played some veteran golf there. Frustrated and all, but really just hung tough, made some really gritty putts. I think my putter was probably my best club in my bag this week.

I could have easily three-putted 17. I could have easily made double on that drivable hole after whacking off the corner of the fringe there three times. So made a 12-footer for bogey and then kind of hung in there till the finish line, making a nice long putt on 18.

Q. And lastly, your thoughts on Aaron Rai?

XANDER SCHAUFFELE: I'm assuming he's going to get it done. I'm super happy for him. He's such a good dude. Rarely do you see people work really hard. I mean, that's not fair. Rarely do you feel like people work way harder than you is what I was trying to say.

I feel like I've played a pretty good amount of time, and Aaron is always there. He's always in the gym. He's always on the range. He's always -- you know, at the Scottish, I'm staying right on site there. I thought it was fun for Austin and I to go putt. Aaron is finishing up his little putting session at 9:00 p.m. and going to the gym at 9:45

This was three years ago. I think that's what it's about to be a major champion. You puts the work in when nobody's looking. Super pumped for him and his team.

Q. And a good guy?

XANDER SCHAUFFELE: He's such a nice guy. All world gentleman, no doubt.