MEMPHIS — For nearly 90 minutes after he signed for a disappointing two-over 72 Friday in the second round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship, Xander Schauffele beat balls under the broiling sun, sufficiently backing up with actions his final words before heading to the range. “You know,” he said, “I’m trying hard.”

Starting Tuesday with an extended range session, in which he was working on getting more width into his swing, it’s safe to say no one has been trying harder at TPC Southwind. Which makes his first two rounds tough to stomach and adds to a tightening gut for the weekend in the first leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs.

Not that there was a trace of urgency in his demeanor—even if his entire season has been one long exercise in catching up.

At even-par 140 through 36 holes and tied

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