Xander Schauffele was a key player in this week's Presidents Cup, appearing in all five games for the United States.
He admitted he was tired Sunday, but it didn't matter. He dominated Jason Day in the first match, winning 5&3 and scoring Team USA's first points.
“I was really tired, yes. I was talking to some of the players and we wanted to motivate ourselves,” Schauffele said.
“Not that I needed more motivation, but just to not get sluggish. That was my biggest goal today.”
After pulling his first drive to the left of the fairway, Schauffele managed to find the first half of the green and at least aim for par. But he hit a 45-footer for birdie, which gave him the boost he needed.
“That was the beginning of my round,” Schauffele said with a laugh.
Day matched Schauffele's first birdie with a par breaker of his own. The 2015 PGA Championship winner also birdied the second hole and quickly took a 1-up lead. However, Schauffele switched into high gear on the par-3 fifth hole. The champion Golfer of the Year quickly built a 4-up lead through eight holes, and the first of his four consecutive birdies began there. Day made five bogeys on No. 9, extending his lead over Schauffele to five. At that point, it was as if everything was over.
“We felt like we had to keep pressing, and we were able to do that,” Schauffele said.
“Some days when you press, it goes your way and other days it doesn't. Today it definitely went my way.”
Captain Jim Furyk informed Schauffele that he would lead the American assault on Saturday night, and Schauffele gratefully accepted the honor.
“My job was to get there early,” Schauffele said.
“We have some really, really good players on this team. It was an honor to go and get that first goal.”
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation's Playing Through. Be sure to check it out @_PlayingThrough Cover more golf. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko In the same way.
