Why’s It In The Bag: Xander Schauffele Open 2024
It’s major number 2 for Xander this year with a remarkably impressive 65 on the last day to keep the other front runners at arm’s length. He has a mix of some tour only clubs and new releases in the bag so let’s dive in:
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai-Smoke Triple Diamond 10.5
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana PD TX 70g
3 Wood: Callaway Paradym Ai-Smoke Triple Diamond 16.5
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana PD TX 80g
Irons: Mizuno MP20 HMB (3i), Callaway Apex TCB ’24 (4-10i)
Shaft: Dynamic Gold Mid Tour Issue X100 (3i), Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (4-10i)
Wedges: Callaway Opus 52, Titleist Vokey SM10 56 & 60
Shafts: Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Putter: Odyssey Toulon Las Vegas CH
Key Points
Custom Irons
There are a few things that stick out about Schauffele’s irons, number one the finish. A raw finish is relatively common in wedges but it’s a bit of a rarity in irons. This is generally down to a reduction in glare and the ability to grind away shape from the sole for improved turf interaction however the latter point is far more commonplace with wedges. This is more than likely the finish due to a player preference. The iron model that Xander plays is the Apex TCB ’24, however if you were to walk into any golf shop you’d notice that they don’t exist for consumers! These irons aren’t only custom in the finish but the TCB irons (which were available in the previous Apex line) are again only made for Xander. This is down to his specific needs essentially meaning Callaway have built them as a Xander prototype in the same way that Taylormade have for Tiger and Rory. In the last year Xander has put on 4+ MPH of speed so he has much weaker lofts to optimise his ball flight at this new speed!
Custom Putter
Similar to the irons you won’t be able to get your hands on the Open winning putter in a golf shop either! Xander had his Toulon putter painted red on the crown and the top part of the face even though Toulon putters are usually black. This is to recreate the look of his old O-Works putter that he used in 2020, but with the feel of a milled face which is his preference. Get ready to see some golfers getting the red Dulux out this week!
Any Other Business
Other notable stand outs in the bag are A. the Mizuno 3 iron that he carried (the only non-Callaway club that he carried). This is a common switch that the pros will make for the Open, so that in the windy, links conditions they can keep the ball low and in play as opposed to his higher-flying Apex Utility Wood that he used to with the PGA Championship a couple of months ago.
Eagle eyed viewers will also notice the Opus wedge in his 52* wedge which is the new line of Callaway wedges due out in the next couple of months. The benefit of being a tour player!
