Xander Schauffle and Scottie Scheffler’s relationship summed up by WhatsApp group chat

Xander Schauffele and Scottie Scheffler’s relationship has been highlighted by a recent revelation about how the golf community responded to Scheffler’s legal troubles earlier this year. In May, Scottie Scheffler found himself at the center of a legal controversy when he was arrested on a series of charges that included second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and several traffic signal violations. The incident occurred as Scheffler was en route to Valhalla for the PGA Championship, though these charges were subsequently dropped.

 

Despite the seriousness of the situation, Schauffele, who is scheduled to partner with Scheffler at the BMW Championship this weekend, shared some light-hearted details about how Scheffler’s peers reacted to the episode. The duo’s relationship extends beyond their on-course partnership, as they, along with other golf stars, share a close friendship off the fairway.

 

According to Schauffele, notable figures in the golfing world, including Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, and Patrick Cantlay, couldn’t resist teasing Scheffler about his arrest. This playful banter extended to their WhatsApp group chat, which includes not only the golfers themselves but also their shared physio and crew. Schauffele recounted how their group, which consists of himself, Gary, JT, Jordan, Scottie, and Pat Cantlay, took a light-hearted approach to the situation by making jokes and adjusting their group chat image in a nod to Scheffler’s notorious mugshot.

 

The group’s WhatsApp profile picture was updated to feature Scheffler’s mugshot—a photo that went viral and depicted him in an orange jumpsuit with a serious expression. Schauffele described the humor within their circle, stating, “He took it like a champ and we have a group chat, with our physio, our crew. It’s me, Gary, JT, Jordan, Scottie, Pat (Cantlay) – we all share the same physio. The boys were heckling Scottie a little bit… just enough.” Schauffele’s account highlights the camaraderie and ability of these elite golfers to maintain a sense of humor even in less-than-ideal circumstances.

 

When the incident first surfaced, Schauffele admitted that he was initially skeptical, believing it might be a prank. It was only after seeing the news reports that he realized the situation was real. “As soon as I saw it, I thought it was a prank and then I saw it on the news and was like ‘Holy smokes, this actually happened’,” Schauffele recalled.

 

Despite the initial shock, Schauffele expressed his confidence in Scheffler’s ability to overcome the scandal. Scheffler’s resilience was evident as he bounced back by securing a gold medal at the Paris Olympics. Schauffele praised Scheffler for handling the situation with grace and composure, consistent with his usual demeanor. “It feels like he’s going to come out OK from all this,” Schauffele said. “He handled it really well in Scottie Scheffler fashion – he’s a good dude.” This sentiment underscores Schauffele’s belief in Scheffler’s character and his capacity to rise above the controversy.

 

In addition to his supportive remarks about Scheffler, Schauffele also lauded his friend’s achievements and overall demeanor. He noted that Scheffler “deserves everything that he’s getting” and has frequently spoken highly of his fellow golfer and competitor. The admiration between the two is clearly mutual.

 

Scheffler, despite an impressive season marked by significant achievements, has often found himself in Schauffele’s shadow. Schauffele clinched victory at The Open Championship at Royal Troon and secured the PGA Championship in May. Nevertheless, Scheffler has consistently expressed his respect for Schauffele, highlighting his work ethic and humility. “I love seeing people like him (Schauffele) have success because he does it the right way – he works hard,” Scheffler remarked in July. He further emphasized, “He’s not full of himself. We were playing a practice round today and I was actually thinking about it like, ‘Man, Xander is the exact same today after winning tournaments as he was if he had lost the tournament by one.'”

 

In summary, the relationship between Xander Schauffele and Scottie Scheffler reflects a blend of competitive spirit and genuine camaraderie. Their interactions, including the playful jabs and mutual respect, highlight the close-knit nature of their golfing circle and the way they support each other both professionally and personally.