The Baycurrent Classic at Yokohama Country Club, just south of Tokyo, delivered a storybook finish for Xander Schauffele, who clinched his 10th PGA Tour title in dramatic fashion. After a year marked by injuries and near-misses, the 31-year-old American capped off the limited-field, no-cut event with a sizzling final-round 64, finishing at 19-under par for a total score of 265. The victory, which came on October 12, 2025, was not just a milestone for Schauffele’s career, but also a deeply personal triumph in a country that holds special meaning for him and his family.
From the outset, the Baycurrent Classic—formerly known as the ZOZO Championship—stood out on the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup Fall schedule. It featured a select field of 78 players, including thirteen of the top 50 in the world rankings. With a generous $8 million purse, the largest among the remaining fall events, and no cut, every competitor was guaranteed a payday. But for those chasing FedEx Cup points and tour status, the stakes were even higher.
Schauffele’s road to victory was anything but easy. The week saw a tightly contested leaderboard, with Max Greyserman and Michael Thorbjornsen emerging as his closest rivals. Greyserman, who finished just one shot back at 18-under 266, pushed Schauffele to the final hole, while Thorbjornsen’s 16-under 268 secured him third place. The pressure was palpable, but Schauffele’s experience and composure shone through when it mattered most.
"I’ve had to work through a lot this year—injuries, missed cuts, and plenty of sleepless nights," Schauffele told reporters after hoisting the trophy. "To win here, in my 200th career start, in front of my family, is just unbelievable." According to Golf Digest Middle East, Schauffele became the first player since Dustin Johnson in 2016 to claim his 10th PGA Tour victory in his 200th appearance. The win also makes him the 119th golfer in history to reach double-digit PGA Tour titles.
Beyond the numbers, the setting of Schauffele’s triumph added a layer of sentimentality. His mother grew up in Japan, and it was at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 that he captured Olympic gold. This week, his 81-year-old grandmother walked all 18 holes with him, cheering every shot. It was also Schauffele’s first win as a father, following the birth of his son, Victor, earlier this year. "Having my grandmother here, and knowing my son is watching back home, makes this win even more special," Schauffele said, his voice tinged with emotion.
The Baycurrent Classic’s prize structure ensured that every player went home with something to show for their week in Japan. Schauffele pocketed $1.44 million for his efforts, pushing his career PGA Tour earnings above $60 million—good enough for 15th on the all-time money list, according to GolfMagic. Greyserman’s runner-up finish earned him $864,000, while Thorbjornsen took home $544,000 for third place. Familiar names like Collin Morikawa, Hideki Matsuyama, and Adam Scott also featured prominently on the payout list, with each earning a solid check for their play.
The tournament’s unique format—a no-cut, limited-field event—meant that players could swing freely without the looming threat of an early exit. For many, the trip to Japan was a long haul, with 40 players making the journey from the previous week’s Sanderson Farms Championship in Mississippi. The promise of a lucrative purse and valuable FedEx Cup points made the trek worthwhile for pros looking to solidify their status for the next season.
Schauffele’s win was his first since lifting the Claret Jug at The Open Championship at Royal Troon in July 2024. That victory had ended a long drought, but the subsequent months brought their share of challenges. Injuries sidelined him for stretches, and his form wavered as he battled to regain his best. The Baycurrent Classic, then, was both a return to form and a testament to his resilience. "This year’s been a grind, but I never stopped believing," Schauffele reflected. "To come out on top here, with so many world-class players in the field, is just incredible."
His performance at Yokohama Country Club was clinical. After opening with steady rounds, Schauffele surged on the weekend, culminating in that final-round 64. He played the back nine with the poise of a champion, carding birdies when he needed them and avoiding costly mistakes. Greyserman, for his part, kept the pressure on until the very end, but Schauffele’s nerves held firm. "Max played unbelievable golf," Schauffele acknowledged. "He pushed me all the way. It’s always more satisfying to win when you’re up against the best."
The Baycurrent Classic also offered a glimpse at golf’s global reach. With players from all over the world—Japan’s own Hideki Matsuyama, South Africa’s Garrick Higgo, and Denmark’s Nicolai and Rasmus Højgaard, among others—the event underscored the sport’s international flavor. Local fans turned out in force, creating a vibrant atmosphere that made the tournament feel like more than just another stop on the calendar.
For Schauffele, the victory comes with additional perks. Not only does he move from fourth to third in the Official World Golf Ranking, but he also cements his reputation as one of the game’s elite. At just 31, with 10 PGA Tour titles and two major championships, his résumé continues to grow. And with his family’s roots in Japan, this triumph will surely stand out as one of the most meaningful of his career.
Looking ahead, Schauffele’s win sets the stage for an intriguing close to the PGA Tour’s fall slate. With a handful of events left and players jockeying for position in the FedEx Cup standings, every point and paycheck matters. But for now, the spotlight belongs to Schauffele, who proved once again that perseverance and heart can lead to unforgettable moments on golf’s biggest stages.
As the sun set over Yokohama Country Club, Schauffele embraced his grandmother and waved to the crowd, a champion once again in a land that feels like home. The Baycurrent Classic may be an outlier on the schedule, but for Xander Schauffele, it was the perfect place for a comeback story to unfold.
