Xander Schauffele is no stranger to the winner’s circle, but his latest triumph at the 2025 Baycurrent Classic in Japan holds a special place in his heart—and in the annals of golf’s global stage. On October 12, at Yokohama Country Club, Schauffele fired a scintillating final-round 64 to edge out Max Greyserman by a single stroke, securing his 10th PGA Tour victory and first win of the season. For the 31-year-old American, this wasn’t just another trophy; it was a homecoming of sorts, a chance to celebrate in front of family, and a statement of resilience after a tough year marred by injury and Ryder Cup heartbreak.
The Baycurrent Classic, contested on a course restored by Coore & Crenshaw in 2016, set the stage for a dramatic finish. Schauffele, whose mother grew up in Japan and whose maternal grandparents still reside there, soaked in the electric atmosphere as a large gallery—including his 81-year-old grandmother—followed his every shot. “I’ve been coming here since I was about 9 years old to visit my grandparents,” Schauffele shared after the win. “I fell in love with this country a long time ago. I can’t wait to bring my son here when he’s old enough to sort of understand and appreciate the culture here in Japan.”
Schauffele’s affinity for Japan was matched only by his determination on the course. Despite a slow start to 2025, hampered by a nagging rib injury that kept him out of the Tour Championship for the first time in his career, he found his form when it mattered most. “I did have some doubts about winning again after struggling for the majority of the season with a rib injury,” Schauffele admitted. Yet, signs of a resurgence were evident at the recent Ryder Cup, where he was one of Team USA’s strongest performers, posting a 3-1-0 record at Bethpage Black.
“I thought at the Ryder Cup I played pretty solid, I let Pat hang in our second alternate match or foursomes match, I played really poor there and let him down,” Schauffele confessed, referring to his partnership with Patrick Cantlay. “But the other rounds I felt like I was starting to kind of play some good golf. It’s very high stakes, high pressure golf and I started to hit some shots that I wasn't really hitting throughout the year. I think the whole tournament, even though we lost, for me personally I was able to hit a few shots in high stakes moments that sort of gave me a little bit of confidence for sure.”
Schauffele’s final round at Yokohama was a masterclass in precision and nerve. Armed with a Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond driver (10.5 degrees), Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond fairway wood (16.5 degrees), and a full set of Callaway irons and wedges, he navigated the challenging layout with aplomb. His Odyssey Las Vegas prototype putter and Callaway Chrome Tour ball proved trusty companions as he fended off a charging Greyserman, who recorded his fifth career runner-up finish on the PGA Tour. Michael Thorbjornsen surged into third with a 7-under 64, while Matt McCarty dazzled with an 11-under 60 to finish tied for 14th. For the home crowd, Takumi Kanaya provided reason to cheer, tying for fourth at 14 under par—the best finish among the 17 Japanese players in the field.
The course itself drew rave reviews, with many spectators admiring the restored bunkering and the blend of holes from the West and East Courses. The event marked a return to Japan for the PGA Tour, and the large crowds reflected the country’s growing passion for the game—a passion Schauffele has felt personally for decades.
Yet, the week in golf was about more than just Schauffele’s emotional victory. Across the globe, Marco Penge delivered a gutsy performance at the Open de España presented by Madrid, defeating Dan Brown in a sudden-death playoff to claim his third DP World Tour title of the season. Penge, who started the year late after a three-month suspension for breaching the DP World Tour’s Integrity Program (though not for betting on himself or his own matches), has surged to second in the Race to Dubai standings. His final round 72 was enough to hold off Brown, who battled through neck and shoulder pain to shoot 67 and force extra holes. The win earned Penge automatic invitations to both the 2026 Masters and The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale—his first-ever Masters appearance and a homecoming of sorts, living just an hour from Birkdale. “After missing out on the Ryder Cup, my next goal was to get into the top 50 in the world and earn a place in the Masters,” Penge said. “To do it by winning this tournament is just amazing.”
Meanwhile, on the amateur circuit, South Africa made history by capturing its first Eisenhower Trophy at the World Amateur Team Championship. Their 29-under-par total at Singapore’s Tanah Merah Country Club’s Tampines Course was eight shots clear of Australia. Christiaan Maas led the way, winning the individual title by ten strokes, while Daniel Bennett’s steady play helped secure the nation’s maiden victory in the event. “Really proud,” said South Africa’s captain, Gavin Groves. “The guys played unbelievable golf the whole week. It’s just been such a great experience being here. This has been a long time coming.” England earned its first bronze medal in the competition, and the USA, a perennial powerhouse, finished tied for 10th—its lowest finish ever.
Back in the aftermath of the Ryder Cup, the debate over Team USA’s performance continues to swirl. Schauffele, ever candid, acknowledged some unruly fan behavior at Bethpage Black, noting, “New York’s a tough place to play for anyone. I even got a few comments to play better.” The team’s lineup decisions also came under scrutiny, with Colt Knost revealing that J.J. Spaun sat out foursomes because he was the only American playing a Srixon golf ball—a quirky detail in a week full of what-ifs for U.S. golf.
As the dust settles on a week of global golf drama, Schauffele’s win in Japan stands as a testament to perseverance, family, and the enduring appeal of the game across cultures. With his confidence restored and his family by his side, Schauffele looks poised to build on this momentum as the season unfolds. For fans in Japan and around the world, it’s a moment to savor—a champion returning to his roots and reminding everyone that, in golf, every journey is personal, and every victory is sweet.
