Scottie Scheffler just put on a clinic at the 2025 CJ Cup Byron Nelson, treating TPC Craig Ranch like his personal playground. The guy didn’t just win; he dominated. Shooting a mind-boggling 31-under-par 253, Scheffler tied the PGA Tour’s 72-hole scoring record. And yes, that’s the same record Justin Thomas set back when fidget spinners were trending and Ludvig Åberg matched two years ago. Oh, by the way, Scottie snagged this win with an eight-shot margin over Erik van Rooyen. Eight shots! That’s a “don’t even bother unpacking your trophy bag” kind of gap.
A Record-Tying Performance (and One Bogey We’d All Like to Forget)
Scheffler’s stat line for the week? Ridiculous. Rounds of 61, 63, 66, and another 63 to round it out. He was so locked in, it was like watching a cheat code in action. But, because golf loves reminding us that perfection is a myth, there was one tiny hiccup. A bogey on the 17th stopped him from claiming the scoring record outright. Did it matter? Not really. The trophy? Still his. The deposit in his bank account? Still massive. That bogey? Probably already a distant memory.
Winning at Home Hits Different
For Scheffler, this wasn’t just another win; it was the win. McKinney isn’t just any stop on the PGA Tour calendar for him—it’s his backyard. Growing up in Highland Park, Scheffler used to be just another kid dreaming big at the Byron Nelson. Fast forward 11 years since his pro debut right here, and he’s hoisting the trophy in front of the home crowd. Cue waterworks as he hugged his wife Meredith and their son Bennett after the final putt. Sure, there’s a lot of glory in golf, but this win wasn’t about stats. It was about family, hometown pride, and proving to anyone still doubting him that he’s the man to beat.
Turning a Rocky Start Into a Statement Season
The 2025 season didn’t exactly start smoothly for Scheffler. Over the holidays, a hand injury benched him for weeks, forcing him to watch from the sidelines. (Spoiler alert: not his favorite activity.) But any doubts about whether he could bounce back just got obliterated. This performance wasn’t just a win; it was a neon sign flashing, “I’m back, baby.” One win in the bag, 14 career victories to his name, and he’s officially back to terrorizing leaderboards. Competitors, you’ve been warned.
Oh, and if you’re wondering, that eight-shot win earned him a cool $1.782 million from the $9.9 million purse. Don’t feel too bad for second-place van Rooyen, though. He’s taking home $1.079 million. Not bad for a guy who had a literal front-row seat to greatness.
