Two of golf’s biggest stars are dealing with health issues early in 2024. World No. 2 Xander Schauffele is extending his absence from competition, while No. 1 Scottie Scheffler continues to recover from a hand injury.
Schauffele’s team cited a “medical reason” when he pulled out of this week’s American Express in La Quinta. Now he’s also withdrawing from the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines – his first time missing his hometown event since making his tournament debut in 2016 as a Korn Ferry Tour member.
The San Diego native’s absence from Torrey comes after an underwhelming T-30 finish at The Sentry to start the year. He’s also stepping away from his TGL commitments with New York Golf Club, where teammates Rickie Fowler, Matt Fitzpatrick and Cameron Young will handle playing duties.
Name
Events
Top 10
Money
Xander Schauffele
184
65
$57,295,643
Meanwhile, Scheffler’s dealing with his own setback – a puncture wound to his right hand from broken glass while preparing Christmas dinner. He’d hoped to return at the American Express but wasn’t quite ready.
Both players’ status remains uncertain for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, the next signature event on the PGA Tour schedule running January 30 through February 2. It’s a tournament that typically draws the Tour’s top talent, making their potential absenses particularly noteworthy.
The Farmers Insurance Open kicks off Wednesday at Torrey Pines, running through Saturday to avoid conflicting with NFL conference championship games. Without Schauffele in the field, it’ll mark the first time since 2015 that the local favorite won’t tee it up on his home course.
