Xander Schauffele returned to the winner’s circle at the 2025 Baycurrent Classic in Japan, edging Max Greyserman by a single stroke with a calm and controlled final-round showing at Yokohama Country Club. The win marked his 10th PGA Tour triumph and his first since securing the 2024 Open Championship, ending a long wait to return to the winner’s circle.
Arriving in Japan with mounting pressure to validate a season of inconsistency, Schauffele delivered when it mattered most. Tied with Greyserman at 12-under after 54 holes, he made his move on the final day, carding a flawless 64 that included pivotal birdies at the 13th and 14th holes. Greyserman pushed hard, nearly forcing a playoff with a spectacular final approach, but Schauffele held firm to secure a deeply meaningful victory.
Schauffele’s composure and proven track record caught the eye of the betting market, which installed him as the tournament favourite at 10-1. For example, punters using sports betting not on GamStop, platforms outside the standard regulatory umbrella, offered the advantage of live-tracking odds and fewer usage restrictions, particularly useful during the back-nine swings that defined this event.
His performance capped a rollercoaster season that has seen flashes of brilliance, but few finishes to match his elite standards. After a modest start to the week, including an opening-round 71, Schauffele surged back into contention with rounds of 63 and 67, eventually entering Sunday’s final round as the co-leader. The trajectory of his play suggested a peak was imminent, and the Baycurrent Classic proved the perfect stage to confirm it, despite schedule changes.
The win carries added emotional resonance for Schauffele, whose grandparents are Japanese. Competing on Japanese soil not only gave him a home-field sense of connection but also a strong desire to finish the season on a high note. With limited opportunities left on the 2025 calendar, the victory also restored momentum in time for next year’s major campaign.
His resurgence didn’t come out of nowhere. Earlier this year, Schauffele underwent a technical transformation, working to remodel his swing in search of better control and long-term durability. The process, while disruptive at times, has shown growing signs of success. His iron play and putting were particularly sharp throughout the week in Yokohama, suggesting the adjustments have begun to take hold under competitive pressure.
The final round wasn’t short on drama. Both Schauffele and Greyserman reached the turn in 33, setting up a tense back nine. As Greyserman pulled ahead with birdies at the 12th and 13th, Schauffele responded immediately with his own gains on 13 and 14 to reclaim the lead. His ability to keep calm and maintain control under increasing pressure allowed him to edge ahead. Meanwhile, Greyserman, still chasing his maiden PGA Tour win, came agonizingly close to forcing extra holes.
Michael Thorbjornsen finished solo third at 16-under, just two shots behind the winner. A cluster of players tied for fourth included Japan’s Takumi Kanaya, who produced the low round of the tournament, a brilliant 62, alongside Rico Hoey, Alex Smalley, Byeong Hun An, and Garrick Higgo. Defending champion Nico Echavarria put in a solid showing to finish ninth, though he was never seriously in contention.
One of the standout moments came from Matt McCarty, who nearly broke the 60 barrier after making eight straight birdies on the front nine. A bogey at the final hole saw him settle for an 11-under 60, still an extraordinary round, but one that ended with a hint of disappointment given what was on the line. Last year, he stormed onto the PGA Tour by winning the inaugural Black Desert Championship, his first PGA title, just weeks after earning promotion with three Korn Ferry Tour victories.
With this win, Schauffele not only silenced questions about his form but also reasserted his place among the game’s elite. It was the type of performance that reinforced his reputation as one of the most mentally resilient players on Tour, capable of grinding through lean periods and peaking when it matters most.
Looking ahead, the PGA Tour heads next to Utah for the Bank of Utah Championship, but for Schauffele, the Baycurrent Classic may stand as the turning point in a year that had threatened to slip by without a defining moment. He has now reminded the golfing world, and the betting markets, that he remains one of the sport’s most formidable closers.
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