Xander Schauffele, a 10-time winner on the PGA Tour, will return to Japan this week to defend his title at the Baycurrent Classic. Schauffele, accompanied by his wife Maya and their son Victor, won the tournament in 2025 with a closing round of 7-under 64, edging the competition by a single stroke.

The tournament holds personal significance for Schauffele, whose mother and maternal grandparents are Japanese. He has visited Japan frequently since childhood and previously captured Olympic gold at the Tokyo Games in 2021. This year's trip will also include family visits, with plans to introduce his son to grandparents from both sides of their family. Additionally, Schauffele and his family will travel to Miyakojima, an island in Okinawa Prefecture, where Maya’s grandfather resides.

The Baycurrent Classic is set to feature a competitive field, including notable players such as Hideki Matsuyama and Wyndham Clark. Currently ranked No. 10 in the Official World Golf Ranking, Schauffele aims to become the first golfer to win the tournament multiple times.

Despite his competitive aspirations, Schauffele has acknowledged the physical and mental challenges stemming from the recently concluded Presidents Cup and a demanding season overall. He enters the tournament seeking to balance the rigors of professional golf with his family engagements during this visit to Japan.