Physical injuries heal with time and rest. Mental scars from those injuries? They require a different kind of recovery. Xander Schauffele, who seemed unshakeable during his major championship victories, faced both challenges after his rib injury late last year. His path back to elite golf has shown that sometimes the most challenging opponent to beat is your own doubt.

Days before the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club, the two-time major champion opened up and offered a rare glimpse into the psychological warfare of returning from injury. His candid admission revealed a truth many elite athletes face but rarely discuss: the mental hurdle often proves more complicated than the physical one.

“Probably trusting it at first. I’ve never been hurt before,” Schauffele explained during his recent press conference. “So I think it was all kind of new. Just the mentality.” The unfamiliar territory left him searching for answers. “I felt like I was playing at a pretty high level. Then I got hurt. My expectations of what I knew I could do to where I was were very different, and accepting that was tough,” he admitted.

For the world No. 3, his right rib injury, which started in late 2024, meant more than losing his hometown tournament. Missing the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines marked the first time since 2015 he wouldn’t tee up in San Diego. The soft tissue injury forced him to avoid swinging and withdraw from key early-season events during what initially appeared to be an uncertain recovery period.

The psychological adjustment caught him entirely off guard. Unlike seasoned veterans who’ve battled multiple setbacks, the 31-year-old had no roadmap. “It’s been a slow recovery, the ribcage seems to be a nagging, slowish recovery area due to a lack of blood flow and the constant use,” he explained. Schauffele didn’t hit a golf ball for seven and a half weeks.

“I think that was sort of the biggest wake-up call for me coming back,” he admitted. The rehabilitation process proved more challenging than anticipated. The mental challenge was particularly daunting for someone who had captured both the PGA Championship and The Open Championship in 2024. His breakthrough major victories made the post-injury uncertainty even more jarring as he questioned every swing.

Schauffele’s 2025 season has demonstrated remarkable resilience despite the early struggles. After finishing 72nd at THE PLAYERS Championship, he steadily improved with solid performances, including a T8 at the Masters and multiple top-25 finishes. While he hasn’t captured a victory yet, his consistency remains impressive, as he makes every cut and proves his mental fortitude.

Yet Schauffele’s comeback journey hasn’t occurred in isolation. Other elite players have faced similar battles with injury recovery, each revealing different approaches to the mental and physical challenges.

How Xander Schauffele’s recovery differs from Scottie Scheffler’s and Jordan Spieth’s

Schauffele’s situation contrasts sharply with two players who recently navigated injury comebacks. Scottie Scheffler suffered a puncture wound while making Christmas ravioli, requiring surgery to remove glass fragments. After missing five weeks, Scheffler returned triumphantly, capturing three victories in 2025, including the PGA Championship. His seamless transition back to elite form showed remarkable mental resilience.

Jordan Spieth presents a different timeline altogether. The three-time major champion has dealt with chronic left wrist issues since 2023. After surgery in August 2024, he returned following a five-month layoff. Spieth has shown steady improvement with solid finishes, including a T4 at the WM Phoenix Open and a solo 4th at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, proving his gradual climb back to contention.

The difference between these comebacks reveals everything about timing and patience. Both Scheffler and Spieth had faced injury setbacks before. Schauffele was stepping into uncharted territory where fear of re-injury meets major championship pressure.

Schauffele’s journey back has been marked by steady progress rather than immediate breakthrough. His recovery prioritized being “100 percent” before returning to competition. That patience has shown results through consistent play, making every cut in 2025 despite not yet capturing a victory.