Xander Schauffele returned to the winner’s circle on the 2025 Baycurrent Traditional in Japan, edging Max Greyserman by a single stroke with a peaceful and managed final-round displaying at Yokohama Nation Membership. The win marked his tenth PGA Tour triumph and his first since securing the 2024 Open Championship, ending an extended wait to return to the winner’s circle.
Arriving in Japan with mounting stress to validate a season of inconsistency, Schauffele delivered when it mattered most. Tied with Greyserman at 12-under after 54 holes, he made his transfer on the ultimate day, carding a flawless 64 that included pivotal birdies on the thirteenth and 14th holes. Greyserman pushed exhausting, practically forcing a playoff with a spectacular closing method, however Schauffele held agency to safe a deeply significant victory.
Schauffele’s composure and confirmed monitor report caught the attention of the betting market, which put in him because the match favorite at 10-1. For instance, punters utilizing sports activities betting not on GamStop, platforms outdoors the usual regulatory umbrella, supplied the benefit of live-tracking odds and fewer utilization restrictions, notably helpful throughout the back-nine swings that outlined this occasion.
His efficiency capped a rollercoaster season that has seen flashes of brilliance, however few finishes to match his elite requirements. After a modest begin to the week, together with an opening-round 71, Schauffele surged again into competition with rounds of 63 and 67, ultimately getting into Sunday’s closing spherical because the co-leader. The trajectory of his play steered a peak was imminent, and the Baycurrent Traditional proved the proper stage to verify it, regardless of schedule adjustments.
The win carries added emotional resonance for Schauffele, whose grandparents are Japanese. Competing on Japanese soil not solely gave him a home-field sense of connection but in addition a powerful want to complete the season on a excessive notice. With restricted alternatives left on the 2025 calendar, the victory additionally restored momentum in time for subsequent yr’s main marketing campaign.
His resurgence didn’t come out of nowhere. Earlier this yr, Schauffele underwent a technical transformation, working to transform his swing looking for higher management and long-term sturdiness. The method, whereas disruptive at occasions, has proven rising indicators of success. His iron play and placing had been notably sharp all through the week in Yokohama, suggesting the changes have begun to take maintain below aggressive stress.
The ultimate spherical wasn’t quick on drama. Each Schauffele and Greyserman reached the flip in 33, establishing a tense again 9. As Greyserman pulled forward with birdies on the twelfth and thirteenth, Schauffele responded instantly together with his personal positive factors on 13 and 14 to reclaim the lead. His means to maintain calm and keep management below rising stress allowed him to edge forward. In the meantime, Greyserman, nonetheless chasing his maiden PGA Tour win, got here agonizingly near forcing further holes.
Michael Thorbjornsen completed solo third at 16-under, simply two photographs behind the winner. A cluster of gamers tied for fourth included Japan’s Takumi Kanaya, who produced the low spherical of the match, a superb 62, alongside Rico Hoey, Alex Smalley, Byeong Hun An, and Garrick Higgo. Defending champion Nico Echavarria put in a strong displaying to complete ninth, although he was by no means critically in competition.
One of many standout moments got here from Matt McCarty, who practically broke the 60 barrier after making eight straight birdies on the entrance 9. A bogey on the closing gap noticed him accept an 11-under 60, nonetheless a rare spherical, however one which ended with a touch of disappointment given what was on the road. Final yr, he stormed onto the PGA Tour by profitable the inaugural Black Desert Championship, his first PGA title, simply weeks after incomes promotion with three Korn Ferry Tour victories.
With this win, Schauffele not solely silenced questions on his type but in addition reasserted his place among the many recreation’s elite. It was the kind of efficiency that strengthened his repute as probably the most mentally resilient gamers on Tour, able to grinding by lean durations and peaking when it issues most.
Wanting forward, the PGA Tour heads subsequent to Utah for the Financial institution of Utah Championship, however for Schauffele, the Baycurrent Traditional might stand because the turning level in a yr that had threatened to slide by with no defining second. He has now reminded {the golfing} world, and the betting markets, that he stays one of many sport’s most formidable closers.
