Xander Schauffele called 2025 a “rough year” not too long ago. Despite that assessment, on Sunday, the two-time major champion reminded everyone why he remains a force in golf. With this victory, he joined a very select group of elite golfers.

The American captured his first victory of the season at the Baycurrent Classic on Sunday. His dramatic one-stroke win over Max Greyserman at Yokohama Country Club delivered more than just a trophy. The significance of this achievement became clear when the Xander Schauffele Legion account broke the news on X.

“With his win at the Baycurrent Classic, Xander Schauffele is the 119th golfer ever to have 10 or more PGA Tour wins,” the account posted Sunday morning. The post continued: “He joins Phil, Rory, DJ, Scottie, JT, Scott, Day, Spieth, Rose, Sergio, Hideki, and Rahm as players in the club who’ve won in the 2020’s. Some elite company.”

Only 119 players in PGA Tour history have reached this milestone since the tour’s inception. The achievement positions Schauffele for lifetime membership eligibility on the tour, as players with 20 wins, among other prerequisites, earn automatic lifetime membership. Meanwhile, those with 10 or more wins stand among golf’s most consistent elite performers. In his comments, Schaufele credited some very special people.

“It was a rough year, but my team dragged me through it,” Schauffele admitted after his victory. “They pick me up when I’m down. You know, this is really special for me. Sooner than I thought, to be fair. I was running out of events in 2025 to sort of put my mark on it.”

The win couldn’t have come at a better time. Schauffele’s 2025 season started with a rib injury sustained in December 2024. The injury had sidelined him for two months early in the year. His struggles continued throughout the season, resulting in just four top-10 finishes across 16 events. For the first time in his career, Schauffele missed qualifying for the Tour Championship.

With this victory, the narrative changes. It not only boosts Schauffele from No. 4 to No. 3 in the Official World Golf Ranking, but it also reinforces his place among golf’s elite. With 109th on the all-time PGA Tour wins list and two major titles from 2024, the triumph in a season full of setbacks reminds everyone why he belongs in that rarefied circle.

Records reveal Schauffele became the first player since Dustin Johnson in 2016 to win on their 200th PGA Tour start. Additionally, his victory extended his cut streak to 72 consecutive events. Only Tiger Woods surpasses this streak in the Official World Golf Ranking era, with 142 straight cuts made.

Schauffele joins golf’s 2020s elite

The group of players mentioned in the X post represents a generational bridge in golf. Phil Mickelson leads this elite club with 45 total victories. His 2021 PGA Championship win at age 50 made him the oldest major champion in history. Rory McIlroy follows with 29 wins and four major championships. The Northern Irishman has remained one of golf’s most consistent performers throughout the 2020s.

Scottie Scheffler, the world #1, has emerged as the current dominant force with 19 victories. His rapid rise to elite status demonstrates the competitive depth of the modern era.

This elite group of golfers boasts impressive international representation. Dustin Johnson, with 24 PGA Tour victories, solidified his place among the greats before his move to LIV Golf. Justin Thomas has accumulated 16 wins, including two major championships, showcasing his consistent excellence.

The global reach also extends further with England’s Justin Rose, Spain’s Sergio Garcia and Jon Rahm, and Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama. Combined, these 13 players have captured 32 major championships. Their presence in the 2020s demonstrates unprecedented international talent.

Despite a difficult 2025, Schauffele’s win marks a powerful comeback and reinforces his place among golf’s elite. Alongside his two major titles from last year, this PGA Tour victory showcases his resilience and enduring talent, reminding fans and competitors alike that true greatness prevails through adversity.