Xander Schauffele Has a Personal Reason for Returning to the Zozo Championship Every Year; Here’s Why

Xander Schauffele’s recurring presence at the Zozo Championship goes beyond his love for Japan’s culture, food, and people. The tournament holds a deep personal significance for him, as his family has strong ties to the country. Schauffele’s mother, Ping Yi, was born in Chinese Taipei and raised in Japan, where much of her family, including Schauffele’s grandparents and uncles, still reside near Tokyo.

The 31-year-old golfer values this unique opportunity to connect with his roots, cherishing Japan as both a professional stage and a personal homecoming. This connection was particularly poignant during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics when 40 of his family members planned to support him on home turf, only to be thwarted by COVID restrictions.

Adding another layer to his ties with Japan, Schauffele’s wife, Maya, also shares Japanese heritage through her mother, intensifying his motivation to win on Japanese soil. A victory at the Zozo Championship would hold immense sentimental value, especially considering his standout season this year, highlighted by his breakthrough at the PGA Championship.

Although he remains winless in regular PGA Tour events this season, Schauffele is keenly aware of the significance a win in Japan would hold, calling it a “cherry on top.” After a rough start in the first round, he made a strong comeback in the second round, posting a bogey-free 65. With a T9 as his best Zozo finish so far, Schauffele hopes to make this year’s return to Japan a family celebration marked by a long-awaited victory.