YOKOHAMA, Japan — It may not have been Xander Schauffele’s most prestigious tournament victory, but it should be the American’s most memorable.
Schauffele shot a 7-under 64 on Sunday to win the Bay Current Classic in Japan, where his mother grew up and where he has many ties.
Schauffele shot 19-under 265 in four rounds at Yokohama Country Club, finishing one stroke behind American Max Glaserman, who also finished runner-up in this tournament a year ago, aiming for his first PGA Tour title.
Schauffele’s maternal grandparents live in Japan, and her mother has roots in Taiwan and grew up in Japan. His mother-in-law is also Japanese, and his wife is half-Japanese and grew up in Okinawa, an island in the south of Japan.
“I’ve been coming here to see my grandparents since I was about 9 years old,” Schauffele said. “I fell in love with this country a long time ago, and I can’t wait to bring my son here when he’s old enough to appreciate and appreciate the culture here in Japan.”
“Yes, we have deep ties with the Schauffele family here in Japan,” he added.
Schauffele and his wife Maya became parents with the birth of their son about a month ago.
“It’s still a bit new, but it’s definitely great to be a father, and I’m really looking forward to going home to him and Maya after this,” Schauffele said.
Schauffele received cheers from family members in attendance during the tournament, including his 81-year-old grandmother, who walked the course with him. There will likely be a “gathering” with family to celebrate at a later date, he said.
“I don’t see them very often, but they’re always willing to make time to come out no matter where the event is,” he said. “They’ve been great for me and this is so great. I wanted to share the win with them so I can’t wait to be with them.”
Glaserman finished with a 65 after maintaining or sharing the lead through the first three rounds. American Michael Thorbjornsen finished with a 64, three strokes behind the winner.
Schauffele has won two majors, including his last championship in 2024 at the British Open Championship, and won gold at the Tokyo Olympics, which were postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic. He has a pretty long list of other PGA Tour titles, but this one is different.
Soft conditions and still wind led to a low score. American Matt McCarty shot an 11-under 60. He still finished nine strokes behind. Japan’s Takumi Kanaya finished with a 9-under 62, leaving him five points behind the winner.
McCarty had a chance at 58, but crashed into a tree on the final hole and settled for a bogey 60. Jim Furyk holds the PGA Tour record with a 58 in the final round of the 2016 Travelers Championship.
