YOKOHAMA, Japan (AP) — Xander Schauffele scored another meaningful victory in Japan, a PGA Tour trophy instead of an Olympic gold medal, capping a frustrating year marked by injuries and some uncertainty.
Schauffele birdied the 17th hole Sunday and finished with a 7-under 64 to win the Bay Current Classic over Max Glaserman. He missed two months with a rib injury, ending a season in which he fell short of the Tour Championship for the first time.
“This is really special for me. To be honest, it came sooner than I expected,” Schauffele said. “In 2025, I was running out of events to make my mark on. When I look back on 2025 at the end of my career, I’m sure I’ll smile and think it was a great year.”
It’s been a great year off the track. His wife gave birth to their first child, Victor, in late August. But he struggled to get back into shape after missing two months at the beginning of the year, coming off a season in which he won the PGA Championship and British Open.
And it was no surprise that he won in Japan, where his mother and stepmother grew up.
Schauffele finished with a 19-under 265 at Yokohama Country Club, one stroke ahead of American Max Glaserman, who also finished runner-up in this event a year ago and is seeking his first PGA Tour title.
Glaserman (65) fell back to two strokes after Schauffele birdied the 17th hole. Needing to hole out from 190 yards to have a chance, Glaserman hit a 7-iron that came within inches of the cup, leaving him with a tap-in birdie.
Schauffele’s biggest victory in Japan was the 2021 Olympic gold medal, but he didn’t have a gallery to cheer him on due to COVID-19 restrictions.
His maternal grandparents live in Japan. His mother was born in Taiwan and raised in Japan. His wife’s mother grew up in Okinawa, Japan’s southern island.
“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 about six weeks 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. He said there will probably be a family gathering later to celebrate.
“I mean, I don’t get to see them very often, but they’re always willing to make the 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 maintained or shared the lead through the first three rounds. Michael Thorbjornsen finished with a 64, three strokes behind the winner.
Soft conditions and almost no wind contributed to the low score. American Matt McCarty missed his tee shot on the final hole but shot an 11-under 60, but still finished nine strokes behind. Japan’s Takumi Kanaya finished with a 9-under 62, leaving him five 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.
