The 2025 US Open champion, J.J. Spaun, holds the early lead during the second round, followed by Ryo Hisatsune at the Charles Schwab Challenge. Heavy rains on Thursday have softened the grass, slowing down the greens.
However, the changes at Colonial Country Club were not the only setback. Friday’s round brought more unfortunate news.
Stephan Jaeger, the German golfer, teed off for his second round but was not able to finish. After playing the front nine, he had to exit the event, injuring his back. The 36-year-old made two bogeys in that time frame and played nothing like his usual form. Even during the first round, he made two bogeys and another pair of double bogeys.
Jaeger arrived in Fort Worth with more than $13.7 million in career PGA Tour earnings. He has made 13 entries this season and played 44 rounds, with $1,370,623 in 2026 winnings before the week started.
His best finish this year came just last week at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, where he tied for ninth after closing with a score of 19-under. He also tied for 18th at the PGA Championship, which is a commendable feat considering how difficult Aronimink was.
Stephan Jaeger’s Career So Far
GettyStephan Jaeger of Germany poses for a photo with the trophy after winning the 2024 Houston Open.
Jaeger’s path to this point has not been conventional. His only trophy on the Tour came at the Houston Open 2024. That week, he beat out Scottie Scheffler to claim the crown.
“He’s[Scheffler] been playing some unbelievable golf,” he said after. “I played the Arnold Palmer and the Players with him. He’s such a great dude. So it was such a blast the last couple of days to kind of fight with him.”
He has six wins on the Korn Ferry Tour in 69 events in which he made the cut. He joined the tour in 2013 and has made almost $1.5 million there. He earned the PGA Tour membership in 2018.
Stephan Jaegar’s Personal Life
GettyStephan Jaeger of Germany and wife, Shelby, walk up the 11th fairway during the third round of the Shriners Children’s Open.
Jaeger’s personal life has often remained closely tied to his golf career. He graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2012 and has settled in the city, per Golf Monthly. He met his wife, Shelby, during his collegiate years and the two tied the knot in 2018.
The couple welcomed their son, Harrison, in November 2022, and a golden retriever named Phil. They brought the dog home in January of 2010 and since then, both Shelby and Phil have wholeheartedly supported Jaegar through the Korn Ferry Tour. She has also caddied for her husband.
Besides supporting her husband around the tour for years, Shelby has also worked as a health coach. She owns a business named Bloom Health, where she helps individuals drastically improve their quality of life.
For Jaeger, it remains to be seen whether this setback interrupts the progress he has just made. The season had started to stabilize. The withdrawal now leaves him waiting. If the issue with his back is serious, he could be off the course for a good amount of time.
PGA Tour Announces Unfortunate News on $14 Million Golfer at Charles Schwab