Xander Schauffele's work with father leads to Masters

Xander Schauffele doesn’t shy away from what Masters Week means to him and his father.

“I guess he’s prepared me my whole life for this moment, fair enough to say,” Schauffele said.

The 24-year-old Californian has had his father, Stefan, by his side through it all. That includes teaching Schauffele the game, helping develop his swing, and working with him through a breakthrough rookie campaign in 2017.

Stefan was an elite athlete in Germany and picked up the game when he was 23, according to Schauffele. His natural athleticism and smarts transferred to Schauffele, who starred at San Diego State before jumping on the PGA Tour scene.

His father wears many hats for Schauffele, from mental and swing coach to manager and support. He even was his caddie for a period of time before Schauffele fired him.

“I think he had a few jobs prior, but I fired him from those,” Schauffele said with a smile. “So, he still has four or five jobs.”

PHOTOS: Monday's Practice Round at the Masters

The two were able to share a special moment by walking together during practice rounds Saturday and Sunday before Masters Week.

“We’re a close team and he’s been my only swing coach,” Schauffele said. “I’ve read articles and spoke with other coaches with him around or without him, but I’ve never taken a lesson from anybody else. So everything he knows, I know now. We sort of share our thoughts when I’m struggling and we seem to figure anything out.”

Schauffele broke through last year by winning The Greenbrier Classic in July and capped the season with a victory at the Tour Championship in September, earning him PGA Tour Rookie of the Year.

He’s trended in the right direction recently with a top 10 finish at the Genesis Open in mid-February and consecutive top-20 finishes in World Golf Championships events in March.

Schauffele recalled growing up watching the Masters Tournament more than any golf event on television, and he always made sure to catch the second nine on Sunday. After years of working with his father to reach his first Masters, he’s hoping it’s his turn to be on television Sunday afternoon at Augusta National Golf Club.

“It’s beautiful,” he said. “We just spoke about this is my first time being on the property with patrons, so it definitely has a different look to it. The greens look much smaller with an outline of people everywhere around the greens. It sort of allows you to hone in."