Xander Schauffele has revealed Tiger Woods was just as buzzing as he was following his maiden major title.
The 30-year-old emerged victorious at the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Course last weekend – fending off Bryson Dechambeau by a stroke.
In doing so, the two-time Ryder Cup participant has finally shaken off his moniker of being the ‘best player to never win a Major’.
Prior to his success in Kentucky, Schauffele had finished as a runner-up twice – first at The Open in 2018 and then at The Masters the following year.
And he has revealed that no-one was more proud of his triumph at the PGA Championship than Woods– who failed to make the cut.
Speaking on the latest episode of GOLF’s Subpar podcast, Schauffele opened up about the ‘amazing’ text message he received from the 15-time Major champion.
Schauffele said: “He texted me and I think he is right, he’s been through it all himself.
“But he texted me something along the lines of, ‘You know, all those times you were close, I think that hardened you for this moment, and I’m proud of you.
“‘It’s incredible. I couldn’t be more proud of you.’
“That was an awesome text I got from T-Dub.”
Schauffele is now hoping his PGA Championship success will be the first of many ahead of The Open in July.
He added: “It’s just like a drug. You just want to keep having that feeling.
“I think my favourite feeling in golf is to be in the hunt, regardless of the outcome or the result.
“That rush you feel when you are in contention coming down the stretch is why I love playing golf and why I love sport in general.
“And I have had a lot of that feeling, which is super fortunate for me.
“So the result of wining is obviously awesome, but getting in the hunt at these big tournaments is awesome.”