Scottie Scheffler in field for CJ Cup Byron Nelson, looks to repeat
Scottie Scheffler returns to the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, aiming to defend his title after a record-setting win last year.
A year removed from a hometown coronation, Scottie Scheffler is expected to return to the CJ Cup Byron Nelson next week. Last spring, the world No. 1 didn’t just win at TPC Craig Ranch — he overwhelmed it.
With a blistering, final-round 8-under 63, Scheffler separated himself from the field and finished eight shots clear of Erik van Rooyen, turning a familiar stage into a personal showcase. In the process, he carved his name deep into the tournament’s record book, posting a staggering 31-under 253 for 72 holes — a number that not only set a Byron Nelson benchmark but matched the lowest 72-hole total in PGA Tour history. Now, the Dallas-area native is expected back in McKinney, Texas, chasing something rarer: a successful defense on the course where his roots run deepest.
“When I think about this tournament, I think about a lot of different stuff,” Scheffler said in the glow of that victory. “Sometimes it all comes crashing down at once. ” The memories go well beyond winning — they stretch back to childhood, when a young Scheffler walked these fairways as a fan, soaking it all in.
“We have a lot of great memories as kids coming to watch this tournament,” he said. “I just dreamed to be able to play in it, and it’s more of a dream to be able to win it. ” One image, in particular, bridges past and present.