SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – With cactus thorns sticking out of his finger, Xander Schauffele was reminded he was in somewhat foreign territory during Thursday’s first round of the WM Phoenix Open.
“Some people in the crowd were like, ‘Oh, this kid’s from San Diego,’” Schauffele said. “They’re right. We don’t really have cholla or whatever you call it.”
It was actually a prickly pear that Schauffele imprudently grabbed on No. 6 at TPC Scottsdale, but the splinters didn’t end up ruining what was a solid round. He finished in a tie for third with a 4-under 67, the highlight coming on No. 15 when he holed out from the bunker for eagle.
