Xander Schauffele returns but still no Tiger Woods at 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational

Xander Schauffele is scheduled to return to the Arnold Palmer Invitational as part of a star-studded field.

The world No. 2 hasn’t competed on the PGA Tour since the season-opening Sentry in early January or in a TGL event citing a rib injury.

“Taking the Genesis off gives me three weeks leading into Bay Hill,” Schauffele told Golfweekon Feb. 14. “I want to get as many reps under the belt before the Masters. It would be nice to get the competitive blood flowing a few times before going into a really big event and also have the Players coming up.”

Schauffele is coming off a breakout year during which he won the PGA Championship and British Open. He is a nine-time Tour winner and along with his two majors, he also took home Olympic Gold in 2020. Schauffele said he subscribed to the belief it was better to make sure his injury had healed properly than rush back too soon.

“I’m losing my mind sitting at home watching everybody compete,” he said. “But I’m taking the long view. I’m looking years down the road versus me being in the mix right now.”

Schauffele is joined at the season’s fourth signature event by a 72-man field that includes world No. 1 and two-time defending champion Scottie Scheffler. Scheffler earned his second API last year with a dominant performance, rolling to a five-stroke victory.

“It’s really special,” he said afterwards. “Mr. Palmer meant a lot to me, and a lot to us as professional golfers and the game of golf, so it’s very special to sit here and wear his red sweater again, and I am very proud to be the champion of his tournament.”

World No. 3 Rory McIlroy, a two-time past champion at Bay Hill, is competing in the tournament, too, but Tiger Woods, who is an eight-time champion of the event, elected not to compete this year. The wait for his season debut and first official start since the British Open in July continues for at least another week.

Justin Rose, Min Woo Lee, Rafael Campos, Mackenzie Hughes and collegian Jackson Koivun were selected as sponsor exemptions. Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth weren’t chosen and must win or have a top finish at the Cognizant Classic to qualify through the Aon Next 5, otherwise they will be left out. Palmer’s grandson, Sam Saunders, discussed the exemption selection process here.

The Arnold Palmer Invitational is one of three signature events that features a 36-hole cut to the top 50 and ties plus any player within 10 shots of the lead. Here’s a look at the rest of the field.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Arnold Palmer Invitational 2025 field: Xander Schauffele returns