The ZOZO Championship made its debut in 2019. And well, former World No. 2 Xander Schauffele has never missed a turn to tee up in Japan. But what’s so special about the place? I love Japan, and I love being here,” said the two-time major winner last year. The food? Yes. the culture? Yes. The people? Yes, that too. But there is something more.
Turns out, Xander Schauffele has two special connections in the nation. To begin win, his extended family members reside in Japan. His mother Ping Yi, was born in Chinese Taipei. However, he family moved to Japan and that’s where she was raised.
Additionally, his grandparents and uncles on his mother’s side currently live near Tokyo. During the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Schauffele was set to benefit from home support, with 40 out of 100 family members in the Tokyo area planning to attend the event at Kasumigaseki Country Club. Unfortunately, COVID restrictions prevented them from making the trip.
The 31-year-old wrote in an article for The Strait Times last year, “My mom Ping Yi was born in Chinese Taipei and grew up in Japan. Hence, we have family in both Chinese Taipei and Japan.” Yin met Stefan Schauffele while studying at San Diego University.
Well, that is not all for his ties with Japan. Schauffele’s wife Maya, has Japanese roots too. Just like Schauffele, even her mother was born and brought up in Japan. This is why, Schauffele never misses the ZOZO Championship, making the entire trip and tournament a family event!
