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Mickelson Bullish on Schauffele's 2026 Major Prospects
Veteran golfer Phil Mickelson sees Xander Schauffele primed for a bounce-back year after an injury-plagued 2025 season.
Published on Feb. 28, 2026
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Despite a slow start to 2026, Phil Mickelson believes Xander Schauffele is poised for a strong major championship season. The two golfers, who both hail from San Diego, have been playing rounds together during the offseason, and Mickelson says Schauffele is "ready to start the season" and has a great sense of humor that could shine through in future media appearances.
Why it matters
Schauffele is one of the most talented players on the PGA Tour, having won 10 times, including two major championships, in his nine-year career. However, injuries slowed his momentum in 2025, and he'll be eager to regain his form and contend at the majors again in 2026. Mickelson's public endorsement of Schauffele's prospects could help build hype and expectations around the 32-year-old as the new season gets underway.
The details
Schauffele has made some changes to his driver during the offseason, which contributed to a slow start in 2026 that included missing the cut at the Farmers Insurance Open, ending a streak of 72 consecutive made cuts. However, there have been signs of improvement, with a T-41 finish at the WM Phoenix Open and a T-19 at Pebble Beach. Mickelson believes Schauffele is close to putting it all together again and says the 2024 Open champion is "playing some great golf."
- Schauffele picked up a cartilage tear and intercostal strain early in 2025, sidelining him for around two months.
- Schauffele did manage to pick up a win later in 2025 at Japan's Baycurrent Classic in October.
The players
Phil Mickelson
A six-time major champion and veteran golfer who has been a backer of Xander Schauffele's potential since the latter first broke onto the PGA Tour scene.
Xander Schauffele
A 32-year-old American golfer who has accumulated 10 PGA Tour victories, including two major championships, throughout his nine-year career.
What they’re saying
“Xander is playing some great golf.”
— Phil Mickelson (Grant Horvat's YouTube channel)
“The reason I really want him to do an episode or do a match is he's so funny. Like, people wouldn't know that about him, and I think that his personality would come out. He is understated funny.”
— Phil Mickelson (Grant Horvat's YouTube channel)
What’s next
Schauffele will be eager to get back into contention at majors in 2026 as the new season gets underway.
The takeaway
Despite a slow start to 2026, veteran golfer Phil Mickelson believes Xander Schauffele is primed for a bounce-back year and a strong major championship season, with the two San Diego natives playing rounds together during the offseason and Mickelson publicly endorsing Schauffele's prospects.
