FARMINGDALE, N.Y. (AP) — Xander Schauffele was away from golf long enough that he understood why U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley and some teammates texted him to check in when he skipped a tournament in Napa, California, that they were all playing.

“Hey, how you doing?” they wondered.

Schauffele feels much better now — and is ready to return to the sport after life took precedence over the past several weeks. The fourth-ranked player in the world is a dad now, and after a trying year, the Ryder Cup this weekend at Bethpage Black is a chance to end the season on a winning note.

“It was good to prepare at home on what was limited sleep but sort of a much clearer head than in-season,” Schauffele said Tuesday. “Surprisingly playing kind of nice. I know I surprised myself when I

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