AUGUSTA, Ga. – Xander Schauffele surveyed a nearly empty interview room and could only smile.
“I think this situation is very unique. I'm not one bit sad,” he laughed. “Just what I witnessed, I know it's what everyone is going to talk about; that's why this room's barely full. I know where everyone's at.”
Schauffele had just put the finishing touches on a final-round 68 to finish tied for second place at the Masters, albeit a shot behind winner Tiger Woods who electrified Augusta National on his way to his 15th major championship.
Schauffele temporarily held a share of the lead with Woods, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and Francesco Molinari at 12 under after a birdie at the 14th hole, but knew by the roars of the crowd that Woods had quickly pulled away from the field.