The top golfers normally take a break in the fall to gear up for the season kick-off in Hawaii come January. "Right now, it sounds terrible," Schauffele expressed at the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club, not pulling any punches .
"My brother's bachelor party next week sounds terrible, too. I'm in a place where I'm trying to get over this finish line and play some really good golf coming in so I can enjoy myself."
"I haven't really put a whole lot of thought about how I'd feel trying to tee up in a series overseas in November or December, or October even. I'm going to go overseas to Japan to play the Zozo [in late October]," says Schauffele, who has a personal connection to Japan through his mothers upbringing there.
"That's the only event I'm going to play this offseason, or I guess this fall season. ... I'm excited for my trip to Japan. I always am. It's a warm and fuzzy place for me. But to tack on multiple events would probably be tough."
PGA star Schauffele isn't alone in feeling the strain this season, with World No. 1 and Olympic gold medallist Scottie Scheffler echoing similar sentiments.
Scheffler's year was further complicated by a surprising arrest in May at the PGA Championship on his way to Valhalla, where he faced charges including second-degree assault of a police officer and reckless driving, all of which were subsequently dropped.
Post-Valhalla chaos, Scheffler managed a six-under-par 65 for a strong finish. "I put my head down on the scorer's table and I think I about fell asleep," he confessed.
"I'm fairly tired, definitely a lot more tired than I've been finishing some other tournaments. Yesterday obviously was quite frustrating and a bit of a different day, but... was fortunate to be out here competing."
Despite the setbacks, Scheffler later mustered the energy to clinch Olympic gold in Paris, capping off an extraordinary 2024. With six Tour victories, a second Masters title, and Olympic success, Scheffler has had one of the most remarkable seasons in recent PGA history.
Yet, comparisons between his and Schauffele's achievements sometimes irk him. "I think sometimes I get a touch frustrated with the questions people ask," Scheffler remarked.
"Like, oh, whose year would you rather have? Would you rather have Xander's year or Scottie's year? It's like, can't we just enjoy some great golf that's been played this year?
"You had a guy win multiple major championships and you had a season like mine where I was able to win a good amount of times. I think it's one of those things where we should just sit back and enjoy it. I'm just grateful for the year that I've had and I'm grateful for Xander's year."
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