If there’s one thing Tiger Woods has been throughout his career, it’s being immutable. The golfer has been extremely successful in his professional life, all thanks to his unchanging love for golf. Along with this, there’s yet another thing that hasn’t changed in the 48-year-old’s life since 1996: his connection with Jupiter, Florida. However, when it comes to sunny Florida, the same can’t be said about Xander Schauffele.

After he “took the plunge [in 2023] along with half the Tour” and moved to Florida, it has been taking time to warm up to the place. However, having followed Tiger Woods and many other professional golfers to the East Coast, Xander Schauffele is intent on following the example of the Hall of Famer when it comes to his game. In an episode of the Fore Play podcast, the host mentioned how shifting to Florida helped Woods’ short game because of all the chipping off Bermuda grass. It was then that Schauffele shed light on a similarity between them.

“Yeah, he’s a West Coast kid, too. He was when he was growing up. He’s been in Florida for a while now, but he’s pretty old,” the 30-year-old joked. Nevertheless, the athlete was more absorbed in the legend’s gameplay than his shifting states. While the 48-year-old’s love for Florida isn’t something Schauffele resonates with, he did reveal how “cool” it is to see the 15-time Major winner all the time. “I see Tiger all the time, and it’s cool to see him swinging, getting ready for tournaments.” Besides, Schauffele highlighted how he is following Mr. T’s example and has been “learning” to chip off the grain like the legend.

Tiger Woods may have online video masterclasses on chipping, wedges, and everything in between. But there’s nothing like learning while observing someone live. “Chipping off grain is something else I’m still learning. I’ve only been there for a couple months,” Schauffele added. But what did the 2022 Genesis Scottish Open winner have to say about Florida? The pro has somewhat of a mixed review of Florida. “I like seeing these mountains in the morning. In Jupiter, it’s just like you have no mountains. You stand on a 10-foot mound, and that’s the highest peak in Florida. So, that part sucks.” 

However, he was all praises for the golf that’s played in the state. “The games are incredible,” said the 30-year-old before recounting seeing the likes of Gary Woodland, Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler, and Patrick Cantlay on the range. It is, as he said, “a pretty elite” group! That’s basically what Schauffele had to say about the U.S. state. But what about Woods himself? Why did he move to Florida?

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The reason behind Tiger Woods’ move to Florida

In an interview with Golf Digest, the 82-time PGA Tour champion disclosed why he shifted from California to the southernmost state by mentioning how he always wanted to “be able to handle all different types of [grass] conditions.” Adding on, he recollected how he learned to putt and chip on the Bermuda grass found in Florida, all the while revealing how it took years for the same.

“It’s very easy to play [in California]. Coming to Florida and learning how to putt on Bermuda, learning how to chip on Bermuda, it took years. So, that’s just one of those things that I’ve learned through experience,” explained Tiger Woods.

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The kind of grass on a course plays a crucial role in the performance of the clubface. Keeping that in mind, one can say that Woods’ move worked out well for him in the end, and his long and successful career stands as evidence of the same. Will Xander Schauffele be able to pull off something similar? One can only wait and see!

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