Scottie Scheffler put together four incredible rounds of golf at the 2025 CJ Cup Byron Nelson event to earn his first victory of the season. The local favorite and native Texan made history at his hometown event by tying the PGA Tour 72-hole scoring record, finishing at an impressive 31-under overall and winning by eight strokes.
From the very start, Scheffler dominated the competition. He opened the tournament with a blistering 10-under 61, followed by a 63 and a 66, which put him well ahead of the field. His final round saw him record eight birdies, an eagle, and two bogeys at TPC Craig Ranch. This victory not only marked his first win of 2025 but also saw him surpass fellow Dallas resident Jordan Spieth in the career wins list.
Erik Van Rooyen finished solo second at 23-under overall, signing for an 8-under 63 on Sunday. Van Rooyen earned $1,079,000 for his efforts, making him one of only two players to earn over a million dollars this week, alongside Scheffler, who took home a hefty $1,782,000 check.
Sam Stevens claimed solo third place, finishing three shots behind Van Rooyen at 20-under and earning $683,100. Jordan Spieth shot the low round of the day with a bogey-free 9-under 62, which vaulted him 20 spots up the leaderboard into solo fourth at 19-under, winning $485,100. This marked Spieth's lowest score since 2021, and it provided a much-needed confidence boost.
Despite Scheffler's overwhelming lead, the rest of the field was still competitive, with eight players sharing fifth place at 17-under overall. The total purse for this year's CJ Cup Byron Nelson was set at an impressive $9.9 million, which is significantly higher than the typical non-signature event purse of around $8.9-$9.2 million. This increase is likely due to the CJ Cup and Byron Nelson cross-sponsorship of the tournament.
As for the prize money distribution, the winner received $1.782 million, while second place earned $1.079 million, and third place took home $683,100. The payout for the top 23 finishers was at least $100,000, while the top 36 all cleared $50,000. This level of payout reflects the elevated purse, making it a lucrative week for the players involved.
Looking ahead, the PGA Tour will move to the Truist Championship next week, which will be held at the Philadelphia Cricket Club. This new venue comes as Quail Hollow prepares to host this year's PGA Championship in two weeks. Rory McIlroy will be looking to defend his title in this high-stakes event, where the winner will take home a staggering $3.6 million from a total purse of $20 million.
With this victory, Scheffler now boasts $78,432,784 in career earnings, placing him comfortably in the fourth position in the all-time earnings list. As he inches closer to Phil Mickelson for third, Scheffler’s performance at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson has certainly set a strong tone for the remainder of the season.
In conclusion, the 2025 CJ Cup Byron Nelson showcased not only Scottie Scheffler's remarkable talent and consistency but also highlighted the competitive spirit of the PGA Tour as players vied for significant prize money and FedEx Cup points.
