60 Taeks
Active
Positive Taek
Trending towards recovery after strong Masters performance
8 hours ago

Brian Giuffra supports betting on Xander Schauffele to outright win RBC Heritage. After recovering from a rib injury, Schauffele showed positive signs at Augusta, finishing T8 while ranking 10th in strokes gained tee-to-green. Harbour Town suits his accurate iron play (3rd in SG: Approach). With strong previous results here (4th in 2023, T18 last year), Giuffra considers Schauffele primed to contend strongly at a favorable course.

Winner
+1400
Active
Positive Taek
Momentum building, primed for victory ahead of PGA defense
8 hours ago

Keith Stewart highlighted Xander Schauffele's promising momentum entering RBC Heritage, noting Schauffele wasn't overly taxed mentally after finishing T-8 at The Masters without seriously contending late. With Schauffele's ball-striking, specifically irons and driver play, dialed in and improving post-injury, Stewart forecasts a Valspar-like elite iron showing here. Motivated with the PGA Championship defense approaching, he's primed to push aggressively for a win this week.

Winner
+1400
Active
Positive Taek
Betting on returned form following improved putting
8 hours ago

Pat Mayo expressed renewed confidence in Xander Schauffele, citing strong tee-to-green consistency at Augusta, coupled with significant progress on greens. Following his lengthy rib injury, Schauffele's putting had consistently struggled, but Mayo noted the positive trend continued at The Masters where Xander gained strokes putting (+0.8) against the field—the first time since his return—suggesting he's primed to finally capitalize on that ball-striking excellence at Harbour Town.

Active
Positive Taek
Trending positively despite early-season health concerns
8 hours ago

Rick Gehman is high on Xander Schauffele headed into the RBC Heritage after Schauffele secured another major championship top-10 finish at Augusta. Despite concerns early in the season from a rib injury, Schauffele's consistent recent performances indicate his return to full health and elite form, and Gehman feels confident moving forward. He highlighted Schauffele's improved finishes at Harbour Town (fourth and eighth place in his last two appearances) after initially poor results at the course. Gehman views Schauffele as an intriguing pick this week, given positive trends and apparent full recovery from injury making him potentially undervalued in fantasy lineups.

Active
Positive Taek
Poised for strong contention following recent form
9 hours ago

Greg Ducharme expects Xander Schauffele to contend strongly at the RBC Heritage, noting Xander's impressive recent ball-striking performances. Despite dealing with a rib injury earlier this season, Schauffele had one of his best iron performances ever at the Valspar Championship and maintained strong iron play at the Masters, hitting 54 greens of regulation at Augusta National. Greg pointed out Schauffele's rust in short game and putting, areas that won't be severely tested at Harbour Town's flatter greens, suggesting this course aligns perfectly for Schauffele's current skill set and form.

Winner
+1400
Active
Positive Taek
Excellent approach game signals return to peak form
1 day ago

Barry Plumer favored Xander Schauffele at the RBC Heritage based on Schauffele's recent performance indicating a return to top form following a significant injury. Plumer highlighted Schauffele's impressive ball-striking performance at The Masters, where he ranked fourth in greens-in-regulation and only dropped four shots over the final three rounds following a sluggish start. Schauffele currently ranks second in the field for Strokes Gained: Approach over the past three months and has a prior fourth-place finish at Harbour Town. Plumer confidently suggested Schauffele is fully back in form and primed for success this week.

Active
Positive Taek
Trending upwards after strong Masters finish
1 day ago

Elliott Heath highlighted Xander Schauffele as his favorite play for the RBC Heritage following Schauffele's impressive recent performance at Augusta National, where he secured a top-10 finish to extend his incredible cuts-made streak to 61. Heath noted that Schauffele is returning to form after struggling with rib issues earlier this year. He's coming off consecutive strong outings, including a T12 at the Valspar Championship and a T8 at The Masters. Heath believes Schauffele will be highly motivated by watching Rory McIlroy capture the Masters and expects this to provide additional inspiration for him to succeed at Harbour Town.

T10
+140
Active
Positive Taek
Historical course advantage and Carolina success favors DFS value
1 day ago

Kenny Kim emphasized Xander Schauffele's upside at RBC Heritage, highlighting his notable performances at similar courses, specifically North Carolina-based tracks. Schauffele previously excelled at related Carolina venues like Wells Fargo Championship and has proven course success at Harbour Town with finishes inside the top 15. Kenny argued the narrow fairways requiring precise placement and strategic gameplay align perfectly with Schauffele's strengths, making him a strong DFS selection this week given the positive correlation between his game and the demands of Pete Dye-designed courses.

Active
Positive Taek
Underpriced DFS value and outright bet for RBC Heritage
1 day ago

Kenny Kim enthusiastically recommended Xander Schauffele, noting he's one of his favorite plays and outright bets for the 2025 RBC Heritage at Harbour Town. Schauffele showed encouraging signs with his eighth-place finish at the Masters, securing profitability due to Kenny's top-8 placing wager. Kenny feels Schauffele's recent form, particularly his strong performance under pressure at Augusta, suggests he's ready to contend and provide significant DFS value and betting upside heading into RBC Heritage week.

Winner
+1400
Active
Negative Taek
Bet under on birdies due to line mispricing
1 day ago

Eric Polzin strongly recommended betting the under for Xander Schauffele's 'five birdies or better' line on PrizePicks for round one of the RBC Heritage. PrizePicks is currently setting a high line that appears overly optimistic when looking at Schauffele's recent performance and expected course conditions. Polzin noted RBC Heritage is typically a harder event, and considering the average birdies per round historically is only 4.127, hitting six birdies would be difficult even for the elite golfers like Xander. Polzin mentioned while the weather might currently appear optimal, it is not priced into the lines accurately, and any negative weather shift will further solidify the under bet.

First Round Winner
+2200
Active
Positive Taek
Outright bet value following recent signs of injury recovery
1 day ago

Eric Polzin identified Xander Schauffele as one of his favorite outright bets for RBC Heritage, referencing clear signs of recovery from earlier-season injuries that negatively affected recent performance metrics. Polzin highlighted recent positive form, including a quiet but impressive 10th-place Masters finish and a solid 12th-place result at Valspar as proof that Schauffele's injury woes are behind him. While early-season finishes at Zozo (40th), Tournament of Champions (30th), API (40th), and Players Championship (72nd) were weak, they can likely be disregarded due to injury-driven form issues. Polzin further referenced solid RBC Heritage course history, notably a third-place finish two years ago and 18th last year. With these combined factors and good specialization rank, Polzin strongly recommended Schauffele as an attractive betting target for outright victory.

Winner
+1400
Active
Positive Taek
Great betting value despite strong Augusta performance
1 day ago

Chris Gregory identified Xander Schauffele as a quality betting candidate at RBC Heritage, given his recent form at Augusta, where he secured a solid T8 finish. Gregory noted that Schauffele's odds at 12/1 present potential value, especially after demonstrating the consistency to compete among the game's elite at the recent Masters Tournament. As Harbour Town traditionally rewards skilled ball-strikers with strategic course management, Schauffele's steady recent play positions him well to contend strongly, providing bettors a captivating option at attractive odds.

Winner
+1400
Active
Positive Taek
Trending toward a breakthrough win at Harbour Town
1 day ago

Steve Bamford is bullish on Xander Schauffele at the RBC Heritage, referencing Schauffele's recent form and statistics. Although Xander's rib injury earlier may have impacted his previous major performances, he demonstrated major progress at the Valspar Championship and a quiet but highly impressive 8th place finish at The Masters, where Schauffele ranked highly in ball striking (1st), total driving (5th), and Strokes Gained metrics off the tee (5th) and approach (12th). Schauffele also demonstrates exceptional form at similar Carolina-style courses like Quail Hollow (two consecutive 2nd placements) and Pinehurst No.2 (7th at U.S. Open). He also has exceptional track records on Pete Dye-designed courses, including victories at TPC Louisiana and TPC River Highlands, plus strong performances at TPC Sawgrass. Overall, these converging factors make Schauffele a strong candidate for a win at Harbour Town this week.

Winner
+1400
Active
Positive Taek
Despite course mismatch, injury comeback trajectory strong
1 day ago

Andy Lack highlights Xander Schauffele as a player returning stronger each week after injury, even though Harbour Town isn't an ideal course fit for him. Lack acknowledges preferring Schauffele on more driver-friendly layouts, but points out Xander's previous top-five finish at this venue despite that mismatch. Given Schauffele’s solid upward trend since his comeback, including better-than-expected results factored into Lack's statistical models, Andy considers him worth strong consideration in upcoming events, including RBC Heritage.

Active
Positive Taek
Under-the-radar elite play despite injury concerns
1 day ago

Eric Polzin expressed confidence backing Xander Schauffele despite his injury issues and recent slump. He noted Schauffele's surprisingly quiet top-10 finish at the Masters, a strong indication that he’s returned to form. Concerns about lingering effects from injury are lessened by two solid recent performances—a positive outing heading into Augusta, and then another strong showing there. Schauffele's course history at Harbour Town—a third and an 18th previously—combined with his return to consistency, justifies betting on him even at shorter odds around 10-to-1. Polzin sees Schauffele as trustworthy again, emphasizing his regained consistency and historic reliability (60 consecutive made cuts on tour).

Winner
+1400
Positive Taek
Mental transformation makes him an elite contender

Keith Stewart strongly reinforced confidence in Xander Schauffele at The Masters, highlighting a distinct mental transformation that positions him as an elite contender. Stewart detailed a noticeable evolution in Schauffele, particularly seen through his interactions with media, where he now exhibits a relaxed confidence and witty rapport previously absent. This change coincided with Schauffele stepping out from his father's shadow, partnering with renowned swing coach Chris Como, and producing stellar results, including maintaining an unmatched active cut streak on tour at 60 straight events. Additionally, Stewart noted Schauffele's impressive 15 top-ten finishes in 30 major championship appearances, attesting to his consistent ability to elevate his game under immense pressure. Stewart also uniquely cited Schauffele's participation in TGL competitions, affirming how Schauffele demonstrated intense competitiveness and leadership amid an unconventional environment, further solidifying his belief that Schauffele's current mental and competitive state makes him a prime candidate to seriously contend at Augusta.

Winner
+22500
Positive Taek
Underpriced and mentally sharp, strong betting value

Matt Wiley strongly praised Xander Schauffele as a premier target at The Masters, highlighting his compelling combination of mental sharpness, flawless game, and betting value. Wiley emphasized the contrast between Schauffele's ideal mental state—relaxed, thoughtful, and content—and other golfers showing defensive or combative attitudes in pre-tournament interviews. Wiley pointed out that Schauffele could quietly earn possession of three major trophies after winning two of the last three he's contested. Despite this potential historic achievement, betting odds still have him deeply undervalued at above 20-1. Wiley also mentioned Schauffele's recent impressive iron play at the Valspar Championship, reinforcing his belief that Schauffele is poised to seriously contend against Scottie Scheffler and other favorites at Augusta this week, making Schauffele a highly recommended betting and fantasy selection.

Winner
+22500
Positive Taek
Value bet overlooked due to recent injury layoff

Keith Stewart advised betting on Xander Schauffele at 22-1 odds for the Masters, emphasizing how undervalued Schauffele has become due to a recent rib injury that kept him sidelined for six weeks. Stewart highlighted Schauffele's exceptional performance history at major tournaments, noting he's achieved 15 top-10 finishes in just 30 major starts since breaking out in 2017. He also stressed the significance of recent form, stating that if Schauffele wins at Augusta, it would mark his third major win in his past four appearances. Stewart sees Schauffele's proven confidence in winning majors combined with the enticing 20+ odds as a prime betting opportunity.

Winner
+22500
Positive Taek
Underestimated after injury layoff, strong major pedigree

Keith Stewart sees substantial betting value in Xander Schauffele at odds of 22-1 to win the Masters. Schauffele recently faced a six-week injury layoff in Q1 of 2025 due to a rib issue, causing many bettors to overlook him entering this event. Stewart emphasized Schauffele's impressive major championship record of 15 top-10 finishes in 30 career major starts since 2017, demonstrating consistency under pressure. A win at Augusta would make three victories in the past four major championships, confirming Schauffele has broken through mentally and physically on the biggest stages. Given his discounted odds post-injury, Stewart believes strongly in the value and potential for another Schauffele major win.

Winner
+22500
Positive Taek
Valuable DFS target due to rebounding iron performance

Derek Farnsworth believes Xander Schauffele is going overlooked in DFS lineups, making him one of Farnsworth's favorite tournament plays for The Masters. Although recent form appears mixed post-injury, Farnsworth highlighted Xander's significant rebound in approach play, recently posting a career-high in Strokes Gained Approach. His recent struggles are largely attributed to short game problems, but those typically volatile stats could normalize. Farnsworth also acknowledged Schauffele's strong history at Augusta, nearly winning the year Hideki Matsuyama claimed victory and posting back-to-back top 10 finishes at the Masters. Schauffele's two major victories last season further support his upside, making him an enticing contrarian DFS play at his $9,700 salary.

Positive Taek
Under-the-radar strong recent form provides betting value

Rick Gehman identified potential betting and DFS value in Xander Schauffele, highlighting that Schauffele's recent success, including capturing more majors last year than Scottie Scheffler, hasn't translated into the same level of public attention due partially to his recent injury hiatus. Gehman acknowledged concerns surrounding Schauffele's injury and recent return, but noted definitive improvement in Schauffele's major-winning ability, evidenced by his breakthrough victories at venues like Valhalla and The Open Championship. Gehman recommended Schauffele based on this proven competency in majors, believing cautiousness due to injury might have created market value. As Schauffele re-establishes full form, he suggested investors capitalize on decreased public sentiment and consider him favorably for DFS lineups and betting slips at Augusta.

Positive Taek
Likely undervalued DFS pick with improving health and driving stats

Spencer Aguiar highlighted Xander Schauffele as an intriguing low-owned DFS option for the Masters given his recent injury issues and slow start to 2025. Xander had struggled due to injuries throughout the early season, but Spencer pointed specifically to a pronounced uptick in driving distance numbers from Xander in his most recent tournament performance as a clear sign that Xander is rounding into form at the perfect time. Despite previous struggles and lowered ownership projections around 8%, Spencer sees Schauffele as a potential leverage play due to high upside and returning health.

Positive Taek
Recovery from injury presents attractive live betting opportunity

Sean Fairholm advocated for cautiously betting on Xander Schauffele (+2200), acknowledging the recent rib injury as a significant factor. Schauffele captured two majors in 2024 and boasts exceptional history at Augusta with four top-10 finishes since nearly winning in 2019. Although he has struggled in 2025 due to injury, Fairholm saw optimism in Schauffele's solid top-15 finish at the Valspar Championship and added rest weeks. Fairholm advised in-play wagering on Schauffele after a stable start, mitigating initial injury-related risks and capitalizing on attractive odds.

Winner
+22500
Positive Taek
Return to form makes him prime Masters betting opportunity

Dennis Esser backed Xander Schauffele (+2000) despite a slow start to 2025 due to a rib injury. Esser cites Schauffele's significant bounce-back at the Valspar Championship, where he gained over 11 strokes on approach, as proof he is rounding into form just in time for Masters week. Schauffele had a career-defining year in 2024, capturing two majors and cementing himself as an elite player, making Esser confident in his ability at Augusta.

Winner
+22500
Positive Taek
Priced as must bet due to elite approach and consistency

Bo McBrayer identifies Xander Schauffele as his clear pick to win the 2025 Masters, noting strong past performance and terrific current form. Schauffele, ranked third globally, finished top-10 four times in six appearances at Augusta, including runner-up in 2019. McBrayer's weighted statistical model places Schauffele far above the rest, emphasizing his elite approach play and exceptional ability to avoid bogeys—both critical skills at tough Augusta setups. Particularly strong at courses over 7,400 yards, Schauffele's odds of +1800 represent tremendous value according to McBrayer, who personally handicaps him at +800. This sharp difference in perceived odds makes Schauffele a prime betting opportunity.

Winner
+22500
Positive Taek
Trust for Masters top-10 based on Augusta track record

The Independent advised backing Xander Schauffele for a top-10 finish at the Masters, highlighting his impressively consistent track record at Augusta. Although Schauffele endured a rough start to the 2025 season—only managing T30 at the Sentry, T40 at the Arnold Palmer, and a disappointing 72nd at the Players—he began to rediscover form recently, posting a 5-under final round to seal a T12 at the Valspar Championship. Crucially, his historical performances at Augusta strongly support optimism: five top-10 finishes in six appearances, including a runner-up in 2019, third in 2021, and eighth last year. This consistent record makes him a solid bet despite recent struggles.

T10
+175
Positive Taek
Solid play for Masters top-10 following iron resurgence

Dave Tindall believes backing Xander Schauffele for a top-10 at the 2025 Masters presents solid betting value. Schauffele had two major victories in 2024, significantly easing concerns over his prior struggles to close out tournaments. Though injury has limited his play to just four events this year and prevented any top-10 finishes thus far, Schauffele's recent performance—particularly ranking 1st in strokes gained: approach during a 12th-place finish at the Valspar Championship—signals a return to form. Augusta National fits Schauffele's game exceptionally well, as evidenced by his four top-10 positions in the last six Masters, including two top-5s, and a remarkable career track record of 50% top-10 finishes in majors (15 out of 30). Given these factors, Tindall recommends him strongly as a top-10 bet at odds of 3.4.

T10
+175
Positive Taek
Undervalued betting option due to injury return and history

Skylar Hoke advised considering Xander Schauffele an undervalued betting choice at The Masters after recent market skepticism caused by mediocre results since returning from a rib injury. Highlighting Schauffele's prestigious history at Augusta (multiple top-10 finishes, including second in 2019) and stellar major championship record—having placed inside the top 20 in every major since the 2022 Masters—Hoke noted impressive underlying approach play metrics in recent tournaments like Valspar. With Schauffele likely approaching peak fitness and at generous odds, Hoke believes he's underrated by the public and bookmakers.

Winner
+22500
Positive Taek
Undervalued top-tier player ideal for DraftKings lineup anchor

Continuing his strong advocacy for Xander Schauffele, Bo McBrayer specifically recommended him as an ideal anchor player in DraftKings DFS lineups. McBrayer pointed out that Schauffele, currently ranked third in the world, has an exceptional Masters history having posted four top-ten finishes in the last five years. Priced attractively at $9,700—significantly cheaper than top-ranked players Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy—he offers DFS players elite potential at a considerable discount. McBrayer sees Schauffele's combination of Augusta compatibility, reasonable DFS price, and established major championship pedigree as a no-brainer selection.

Negative Taek
DFS caution due to lingering injury questions

Jim Sannes expressed caution about using Xander Schauffele too heavily in DFS contests at Augusta National. While acknowledging Schauffele's appealing outright betting value at 20-to-1, he noted Schauffele's downside risk remains concerning, partly because his full health is unclear. Though Schauffele's outright odds suggest a buy-low opportunity due to his enormous upside when healthy, the DFS risk from Schauffele's injury uncertainty and inconsistent recent performances is higher than preferred. Jim advised targeting safer alternatives like Collin Morikawa or Jon Rahm ahead of Schauffele in DFS formats this Masters.

Positive Taek
Under-the-radar upside appealing for outright betting

Jim Sannes identified Xander Schauffele's outright odds of 20-to-1 as a buy-low opportunity. Despite recent mixed results attributed partly to recovering from a rib injury, Schauffele showed promising iron play at the Valspar Championship, gaining 2.88 strokes per round on approach. He previously gained strokes off the tee at the Arnold Palmer Invitational as well. With his proven elite baseline performance when healthy, Sannes believes Schauffele's current odds undervalue his potential return to his pre-injury form. He anticipates this could be the final opportunity to back Schauffele at attractive odds before his full health and form return.

Winner
+22500
Positive Taek
Strong outright value due to recent major wins and course history

David Barnett is highly positive on Xander Schauffele at Augusta National, citing recent accomplishments as the primary reason for confidence. He recognizes potential concerns about Schauffele's consistency, but emphasizes that Xander has a tremendous record at Augusta. Notably, Barnett pointed out that Schauffele is now a two-time major champion, something he had not achieved in previous appearances here. That experience and proven ability to close out major tournaments bolster his confidence at Augusta this year. Barnett enthusiastically highlighted betting Schauffele outright at current odds around 20-to-1, expecting these odds to shorten significantly as the Masters approaches. Schauffele is confirmed to be featured on 'DB's Big Balls Betting Card' due to Barnett's strong belief in his winning upside.

Winner
+22500
Negative Taek
Recent struggles suggest poor showing at Augusta

Neil Parker is down on Xander Schauffele for the 2025 Masters, citing inconsistency since returning from injury. Schauffele struggled significantly with putting recently, notably losing strokes off the tee and on the greens across consecutive events. Although Schauffele historically plays well at Augusta with three recent Top-10 finishes, Parker believes his current shaky form makes him a strong fade candidate in head-to-head matchup markets

Winner
+22500
Negative Taek
Question marks surrounding recent injury recovery

Robby Kalland cautioned bettors about the state of Xander Schauffele's game following recent injury concerns. Though he claimed two major championships in 2024 and historically performs well at Augusta National, Schauffele has yet to recapture his previous form in 2025, largely due to missed time from an injury at the year's start. This raises substantial doubts about his readiness at Augusta, suggesting a fade at his current odds.

Winner
+22500
Positive Taek
Undervalued contender back healthy and trending upward

Cam DaSilva highlights Xander Schauffele as overlooked value at Augusta, noting that despite his early-season rib injury, Schauffele is back on form and trending upward. He recently finished 12th at Valspar, gaining a career-best 11.276 strokes on approach, signaling elite iron play. Schauffele, ranked third worldwide, won two majors in the previous year, has four top-10 finishes at Augusta in the last six years, yet remains undervalued in betting markets at +2200 odds. DaSilva considers Schauffele an excellent play given his recent form and impressive Augusta history.

Winner
+22500
Positive Taek
Trending strong entering Masters following historic iron play

Draftkings Network touted Xander Schauffele as a great early bet for the 2025 Masters, emphasizing his recent momentum following a delayed start to the season due to a rib injury. After shaking off rust in his initial appearances, Schauffele caught fire at the Valspar Championship, recording an exceptional 11.2 strokes gained on approach shots—a career-best performance. Noting Schauffele's track record of delivering his best golf in major championships, Draftkings Network believes he presents compelling value at current betting odds.

Winner
+22500
Negative Taek
Recent form too inconsistent due to injury concerns

Pat Mayo advised caution against betting or heavily rostering Xander Schauffele in DFS lineups at this year's Masters due to uncertainty surrounding his form following a recent rib injury. Schauffele missed significant time because of this injury and, despite having an outstanding approach performance at the Valspar Championship, has struggled noticeably in driving and putting since returning. Mayo viewed these continued struggles as problematic despite improvement in approach and chipping. Given Schauffele's erratic recent performances and questionable health, Mayo suggests being wary, especially at Augusta where consistent drive and putting performance has historically been crucial.

Positive Taek
Elite iron display at Valspar signals DFS upside

David Barnett highlighted Xander Schauffele's phenomenal approach play performance at the Valspar Championship, gaining a massive 11 strokes on approach shots in route to a T12 finish. Barnett expressed excitement about potentially rostering Schauffele at The Masters, especially if public DFS ownership comes in low due to Schauffele's limited appearances and recent injury. Barnett acknowledges risk due to Schauffele's sparse recent play, but strongly values his Augusta track record and this recent elite iron play display, making him a compelling DFS matchup pivot.

Positive Taek
Sneaky DFS play likely overlooked due to recent injury return

Pat Perry recommended Xander Schauffele as a potentially strong pivot for DFS lineups, expecting lower ownership after returning from injury. Although Schauffele struggled initially post-injury with poor finishes at Arnold Palmer and The Players Championship, he regained form with an impressive T12 at the Valspar, gaining 11 strokes on approach shots. Given his historically strong Augusta record, Perry sees a great leverage opportunity here if Schauffele's ownership stays suppressed due to his inconsistent start to the season.

Positive Taek
Recovery timeline offers standout betting opportunity with questionable form

Mike McClure supported betting on Xander Schauffele's outright victory given current pricing around 20-to-1, citing his baseline talent, Augusta comfort, and potential to rebound strongly following recent injury concerns. He emphasized that Schauffele's odds would be markedly shorter (likely around 10-to-1) if fully healthy, creating a strong opportunity given that Schauffele's current questionable form appears a short-term issue rather than a larger talent problem. Mike suggests bettors willing to speculate slightly on fitness stand to gain significant value by locking in current odds before updates on recovery push Schauffele's odds shorter again.

Winner
+22500
Positive Taek
Strong outright value considering recovery timeline and pricing

Sia Nejad sees significant value betting on Xander Schauffele at 20-to-1 odds for the Masters, given the favorable price stemming from uncertainty around Xander's recent recovery and current form. Schauffele, who has strong historical finishes at Augusta (8th, T10, T3 in three of the last four Masters), has recently returned from injury and shown some encouraging signs, notably improved approach play despite mixed results overall. Nejad argues Schauffele's price could realistically be around 14-to-1 or even 10-to-1 if fully healthy and believes betting now capitalizes on potential market inefficiency as the event approaches. He notes Schauffele has had a couple weeks off to further sharpen his game, reinforcing the value at current pricing.

Winner
+22500
Negative Taek
Fade at current odds despite recent surgery and improving irons

Matt Gannon advised against betting Xander Schauffele at the current 20-to-1 odds despite solid finishes (eighth and tenth place) in his past two Masters tournaments. Even though Schauffele recently returned following rib surgery (humorously labeled as 'Marilyn Manson surgery'), and led strokes gained approach at the Valspar, Gannon pointed out Schauffele's typically strong historical profile—a balanced skillset across all categories—has looked notably 'spotty' this year. Specifically, Gannon noted Schauffele had not gained strokes in his short game yet in 2025, indicating underlying uncertainty and suggesting his recent standout performance on approach is not enough to circumvent remaining uncertainty. Gannon clearly stated he wouldn't risk betting Schauffele at present odds counting on a full return to form just yet, despite positive signs from his recent approaches at Valspar.

Positive Taek
Exceptional caddy makes him intriguing DFS target

Matt Gannon gave a compelling endorsement of Xander Schauffele as a DFS selection due to his caddy Austin Kaiser, highlighting Kaiser's elite preparation methods and meticulous attention to course details. Gannon described Kaiser as operating in 'a different world' compared to other caddies. With Kaiser's rigorous course analysis and detailed game planning, Schauffele regularly maximizes his skill set, making him a consistent high performer at challenging venues like Augusta. As a result, Gannon suggested DFS players gain substantial advantage selecting Schauffele, considering the critical impact Kaiser's presence has on his player's performances.

Positive Taek
Discounted salary despite returning form and strong history

Eric Polzin considers Xander Schauffele a strong DraftKings DFS value at the Masters due to his significantly discounted salary at $9.2K. Although recent injury struggles did affect Schauffele's earlier performances, he impressively bounced back with a 12th-place finish in his last appearance. Schauffele possesses robust history at Augusta that normally would justify a much higher salary. Polzin argues that excluding recent, injury-influenced form stats, Schauffele's overall profile and Augusta success suggest he should rank as the third-highest salaried option, making him an excellent value at current pricing.

Negative Taek
Avoid Schauffele as he recovers from rib injury

Wes Reynolds recommends avoiding Xander Schauffele at 20-1 for the Valspar Championship due to his recent struggles returning from injury. Although Schauffele ranks third in the OWGR and typically performs well on tough tracks, his recent form is concerning, finishing just 40th at Arnold Palmer and 72nd at The Players since coming back from a two-month layoff with a rib injury. Given Schauffele's present issues regaining top form, Reynolds sees him as excessively priced this week.

Negative Taek
Fade due to lack of form and consistency

Andy Lang advised steering clear of Xander Schauffele for the Valspar Championship, citing poor recent form and inconsistency. Schauffele's swing has been lacking stability, with a concerning minus 0.37 total strokes gained in his two tournaments since returning this season. Despite being priced like a top-five golfer, he finished 40th and 72nd in recent weeks. Lang believes Schauffele is a fade until he demonstrates competitiveness, soon enough or against similarly priced top players. He mentioned Schauffele's physical condition isn't at its peak, affecting his swing consistency.

Positive Taek
Low projected ownership makes Xander intriguing

Mike McClure discussed a strategic approach to playing Xander Schauffele, suggesting it could be a good idea to get ahead of the field if Xander projects with low ownership. McClure pointed out that with Scotty Scheffler and Rory McIlroy out of the picture, Schauffele's lower projected ownership can provide a unique edge if it remains under that of Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood. McClure is inclined to play Xander if his ownership ranks lowest among his competitors, promising a potential for value and differentiation in DFS lineups.

Negative Taek
Struggling badly post-injury, avoid betting exposure

Patrick McDonald warned sharply against backing Xander Schauffele for the 2025 Valspar Championship, citing Schauffele's openly admitted struggles since returning from a rib injury. Schauffele finished dead last among weekend contenders at TPC Sawgrass with rounds of 77 and 81, describing his game as 'no good.' Despite previously gaining strokes on approach in both starts post-injury, McDonald remains skeptical due to Schauffele's poor full-swing mechanics and underperforming short game.

Positive Taek
Better DFS value due to long-term upside

Rick Gehman expressed preference for Xander Schauffele over Justin Thomas at the Valspar Championship owing to Schauffele's better pricing and potential upside. Although Schauffele's recent finishes have not been stellar—including poor performances over the weekend at TPC Sawgrass—he previously posted T5 and T12 finishes at Innisbrook with strong across-the-board strokes gained metrics. Gehman believes Schauffele's best form significantly outperforms this field, making him a high-upside DFS selection, especially at a $300 discount to Thomas. Gehman noted Schauffele's previous good showing at Bay Hill as further reason to expect improved play soon.

Negative Taek
Full fade advised at current elevated price

Justin Van Zuiden recommended completely fading Xander Schauffele at The Players Championship due to his high pricing relative to recent form. Despite Schauffele making the cut last week after a decent Sunday performance, Van Zuiden wants to see more consistent results before investing at Schauffele's current elevated price above 11,000 DraftKings salary. He firmly stated he would cross Schauffele off his player pool entirely at this price.

Positive Taek
Strong leverage play due to low projected ownership

Mike Petta highlighted Xander Schauffele as an excellent leverage play because of his low expected ownership at the top pricing tiers. Petta explained that most DFS participants are likely skipping over Schauffele due to pricing concerns and perceived value elsewhere. He emphasized that Schauffele's upside and talent warrant consideration, especially given the potential ownership advantage and reduced competition at his price point.