Well, what do you know? The U.S. team did it again at the Presidents Cup. And at the centre of it all was none other than Xander Schauffele, who won every one of his matches, except for just one. However, for him, the taste of victory seems to have come in the form of a smoke. Yes, you read that right, for the American pro turned to his iconic ‘John Daly’ like celebration following his team’s victory over the International squad.
A series of tweets were shared on X showcasing the golfer smoking his cigars. NUCLR GOLF also uploaded one such video of the athlete doing the same with the caption, “Xander Schauffele LIGHTS ONE UP. It’s officially over.” For he had also ‘lighted one up’ back at the 2021 Ryder Cup when the American team defeated their rivals, the European squad, 19-9.
After witnessing the iconic celebration, you might think everyone might have ended up liking it, right? But the answer would be a ‘No’, for it went ahead to spark a debate in the community with some supporting Xander Schauffele. Others, contrarily so, just took to diss him and the team, as a whole. Mind you, this came about even though he helped the team win on Sunday by emerging victorious at his singles match against Jason Day, 4&3.
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Xander Schauffele’s celebration sends the internet into a frenzy
Polls of the day Poll 1 of 6 Do you think Xander Schauffele’s bold stunt at the Presidents Cup was worth it? Absolutely Not at all It was entertaining but pointless I’m undecided Do you think Jon Rahm can bounce back from his recent setbacks? Absolutely No way Maybe, if he changes his approach Only time will tell Whats your Perspective on: Is Xander Schauffele the new John Daly, or is he trying too hard to be noticed? Have an interesting take? Join The Debate Do you think Lexi Thompson’s injury will end her career? Yes No Too early to tell How do you feel about Christiaan Bezuidenhout’s miraculous comeback after his near-fatal accident? Inspired Amazed Shocked Indifferent Who is most to blame for Jason Day’s decline at the Presidents Cup? Mike Weir Jason Day himself Team dynamics Injuries
Quite a win that the Jim Furyk-led squad was able to clinch against Mike Weir’s team. And he must have readied the same in case of them emerging victorious (which actually did happen). But what if they hadn’t won? Well, that was what happened last year at the 2023 Ryder Cup when Europe defeated America, 16.5-11.5. Remember Xander Schauffele’s figures from the same? Well, he just won a single match on Sunday while carding figures of 1-3-0. A fan alluded to the same while commenting, “Good man, they must’ve been in his golf bag since the Ryder Cup.”
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The American golfer is no rookie when it comes to cigars. For he had once revealed his favorite smoke to be Montecristo No. 2. And looking back at the 2021 Ryder Cup, Xander Schauffele hadn’t brought one of his own cigars but had received one from the fans alongside a beer can. The athlete’s behavior, over the years when it comes to the same, coupled with the recent celebration didn’t impress a couple of fans as one person commented, “What a knob,” while another responded with a question, “Good role models???”
Over the 30 years that the biennial event has played out, the International team has only won it once, that too back in 1998 while tying one, back in 2003. The American team, meanwhile, has won the rest, thereby bringing their stats to an impressive 13-1-1. So much so that some people now dub the tournament as ‘boring’, owing to the same result being dished out year after year.
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A golfing enthusiast agreed as they commented, “This whole event is pointless if the International team never can win. Last time they won was in the 90s. And that was their ONLY time. Let that sink in.” Another person, on the other hand, couldn’t help but get impressed by the team’s win and Xander Schauffele’s John Daly-like celebration, for he wished the team the best following their win. “I love this country. Enjoy boys!” They wrote.
The team sure did claim a dominating win over the Mike Weir-led International team. But do you agree with the enthusiast’s opinion mentioning how monotonous it has become? Let us know what you feel below!