Xander Schauffele makes drinking claim ahead of Olympics: “Quite a feat for myself”
Xander Schauffele Reflects on Post-Major Celebrations and Olympic Aspirations
Xander Schauffele, a two-time major champion, recently opened up about a unique celebration following his victory at The Open Championship at Royal Troon earlier this month. The 30-year-old American golfer disclosed that he engaged in a three-day drinking spree after clinching the prestigious title, an act he described as quite an accomplishment given his usual abstention from alcohol. Schauffele’s remarkable achievement of winning The Open was his second major title of the year, and it has set the stage for his upcoming attempt to secure a double Olympic gold medal this weekend.
In an interview with reporters on Tuesday, Schauffele elaborated on his rare indulgence. He admitted that he generally refrains from consuming alcohol, making his extended drinking celebration all the more significant. “I don’t really drink much alcohol,” Schauffele confessed. “So three days in a row drinking was quite a feat for myself, and the recovery…that was also slow.” The golfer detailed how he uses devices like the Oura ring and WHOOP to monitor his health metrics, including sleep patterns. The aftermath of his celebratory binge saw a noticeable dip in his recovery scores, highlighting the physical toll of his revelry.
The year 2024 has been a whirlwind for Schauffele, marked by a series of significant achievements. He demonstrated exceptional consistency on the PGA Tour before finally breaking through at the PGA Championship held at Valhalla. His performance at the PGA Championship paved the way for his triumph at Royal Troon, where he showcased an impressive display of skill, particularly on the final day’s back nine. His victory at The Open Championship made him the first player since Brooks Koepka in 2018 to secure two major titles in a single year.
After his success at Royal Troon, Schauffele took a brief respite in Portugal with his family. The break provided him with an opportunity to relax and bond with his loved ones. He was joined by his Olympic teammate Collin Morikawa and Morikawa’s partner, Katherine. Reflecting on this period of downtime, Schauffele remarked, “I was in Portugal with Collin and we had a really nice time there. We played golf for three days and it was fun. We had our girls with us and some nice team bonding. It was really chill, as chill as I would have wanted it, especially after a really tough stretch.”
In addition to his recent victories, Schauffele has been reminiscing about his previous Olympic success. He won the gold medal at the Tokyo Games, which were held under stringent Covid-19 restrictions. Despite the absence of fans, Schauffele found the experience deeply personal and fulfilling, particularly because he was able to share the moment with his father, Stefan. “It would have been really cool with fans,” Schauffele acknowledged. “But it was really intimate that my dad was the only person there with me besides Austin.” The golfer reflected on the significance of the victory, noting that it was a special way to honor his father and their shared passion for golf.
Schauffele’s relationship with golf is profoundly influenced by his father’s own aspirations and teachings. The golfer recounted how his father had harbored dreams of becoming an Olympian, which adds an extra layer of meaning to his Olympic achievements. “Golf was in the Olympics, then it was out of the Olympics,” Schauffele said. “So a lot of the kids were watching Tiger, or if you’re a little bit older, Jack or Arnie – the older legends of the game. You’re watching them win majors but, for me, it’s very personal, the relationship my dad and I have with golf.”
As Schauffele prepares for the upcoming Olympic Games, he will tee off in the first round at 11:44 AM CET. He will be playing alongside notable competitors Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland. With his impressive track record and recent successes, Schauffele is poised to make a significant impact as he aims for another gold medal.
