‘Butt-hurt’ and ‘proud’: Xander Schauffele’s emotional reaction to Scheffler’s Olympic moment

The Olympic Games seemed to scramble the brains of pro golfers involved in the thrilling competition at Le Golf National. Used to playing for money and themselves, golf’s best were thrown into the position of playing for their countries and no money at all (at least some of them). The experience drew out some unexpected reactions and emotions from the PGA Tour’s best. Just ask Xander Schauffele.

Schauffele, who captured his second of two 2024 majors just before the Olympics, was hunting for his second-straight Olympic gold medal until a poor finish dropped him out of medal contention entirely. He could only watch as his chances faded away and Scottie Scheffler made his golden charge in the final round.

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Speaking to reporters on Tuesday ahead of the FedEx St. Jude Championship, Schauffele made it clear that despite all his success this season, his Sunday swoon at Le Golf National two weeks ago still bothered him.

“I take pride in finishing strong, and to do that was — I was pretty bummed out. I went from thinking I could have a good look at gold to maybe silver, then to bronze, and then to, wow, I’m just spectating now,” Schauffele explained. “That’s sort of what happened the last seven, eight holes of that tournament. So that was a bit of a bummer, especially with how the fans were out there.”

Shortly after Scheffler had polished off his gold-medal victory, a self-described “butt-hurt” Schauffele decided to stick around for the medal ceremony. Scheffler, gold medal around his neck, notably got emotional when the U.S. National Anthem played over the loud speakers.

He wasn’t the only one. On Tuesday, Schauffele revealed that though he was still fuming over his bad finish, once the American flag was raised in Scheffler’s honor he suddenly felt an emotional swing in the other direction, filling up with pride and happiness for the World No. 1 who, despite having just beaten Schauffele, was ultimately on the same team as him in Paris.

“It’s weird; I’m not going to lie. It’s the weirdest feeling. I was watching from the sort of family section, the podium, and when Scottie was up there and our flag was raised and he started crying up there, I was butt-hurt about my own round, and then I was sitting there like, yeah, this is pretty cool,” Schauffele attempted to explain.

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He continued, “I’d like to think I’m not — I can be rational most times, but I felt so emotional in that state to where I was butt-hurt about how I played and then sorta proud and happy that Scottie won it. It’s such a — it’s hard to explain, the swing of it. Then out here this week playing with him these next two days and we’re all just trying to beat our heads in. It’s a funny feeling.”

When asked if the pride he felt was influenced by his own gold-medal victory at the Tokyo Olympics, Schauffele identified a different source.

“I’m not sure. I think it’s just being American. You see your flag being raised and your National Anthem played, and you’re sitting there sort of humming it in your head, and you get that sort of feeling that we don’t really get too often anymore.”

For now, Schauffele is back to playing for himself. He starts the FedEx Cup Playoffs in second place behind Scheffler, with a $25 million bonus on the line.

But shortly thereafter, at the end of September, Schauffele will put on some new red, white and blue gear as the U.S. team takes on the International team at the 2024 Presidents Cup in Canada.