Xander Schauffele was born on October 25, 1993, in San Diego, California, to Stefan Schauffele and Ping-Yi-Chen. Xander was raised in Japan. He began playing when he was 9, and his father, who had been a track-and-field decathlete, became his first and only swing coach. Under Stefan’s guidance, Xander Schauffele developed the fundamentals of his game.
His father’s scientific approach to golf, including emphasis on golf mechanics and ball flight physics, altered Schaueffle’s own approach to golf. He didn’t observe his own swing until the age of 18. Instead of focusing on visual feedback, Schauffele placed his trust in the science behind the swings. That provided him a deeper understanding of the sport’s intricacies, making him a largely adaptable golfer.
When he represented America in the 2021 Olympics, Taiwanese reporters congratulated him on his gold, honoring Schaueffle’s Taiwanese roots. However, the golfer’s ethnicity is a bit more complicated than this. Xander Schauffele’s ethnicity is German-French-Taiwanese.
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Xander Schauffele’s Father – Stefan Schauffele’s German and French Heritage
Schauffele’s father, Stefan Schauffele, is half French from his mother’s side and half German from his father’s side. Inspired by his grandfather, Richard Schaueffle, Stefan began his journey in the decathlon. However, a car accident, when a drunk driver hit Stefan, dislodging a shard of glass into his left eye, ended his hopes of the Olympics. Even through multiple surgeries, Stefan’s vision could not be restored in that eye.
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“The last memory of my Olympic dream was all the guys from the German decathlon team coming to my hospital room. It was an emotional farewell. Everything was over! My independence, my new life, my track career, my plans, and all my dreams. I certainly had a death wish. Dark times,” Stefan shared.
However, being the resilient figure he is, Stefan did not let that accident stop his athletic fuel. He turned a pro in Hawaii and worked as an assistant golf pro in Kauai. Stefan later moved to San Diego, where he attended a golf academy, learning under a local teacher named A.J. Bonar. These lessons in golf and his first-hand experience on the greens qualified him as the perfect swing coach for his son. Xander Schauffele affectionately calls his father “Orge,” showcasing their close relationship.
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Schaueffle’s mother has an intriguing heritage, too.
Xander Schauffele’s Mother – Ping-Yi Chen’s Taiwanese and Japanese Heritage
As per the PGA Tour’s official website, Ping-Yi is from Chinese Taipei (Taiwan). However, she was raised in Japan, much like her son. She moved to Tokyo with her father when she was 4. She stayed there until her junior school graduation, after which she moved to the US for college. While originally from Taiwan, Ping-Yi’s ties to Japan are just as deep, if not more. These years served as an essential phase in her life, when she adopted a lot of the Japanese culture.
Speaking on her ethnicity, she remarked, “I’m not even sure of my identity, to be honest with you. I am Chinese but grew up in Japan. I spent most of my school years in Japan. So, I would say the way I think about things is closer to Japanese than Chinese, but I can’t say that I am Japanese either, but there are many things I love about Japan.”
Schaueffle has often acknowledged his upbringing for the discipline and resilience on the PGA Tour.
“I felt the Asian side from my mom, making sure that we were on top of all our stuff, and being tough in that manner. I’d definitely say that upbringing helped when it comes to being successful on the golf course,” Schaueffle said.
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Staying connected with this rich heritage, the golfer maintains close ties with his family through regular trips to Japan. Competing professionally in Japan, at the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP has only deepened his bond with the country where his mother grew up. For Schauffele, embracing this mix of cultures has not only grounded him as a person but also fueled his ability to thrive on the world stage.