Scottie Scheffler’s Emotional Victory at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson

Scottie Scheffler’s Emotional Victory at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson

May 4, 2025, 06:23 PM ET

McKINNEY, Texas — In a heartwarming scene that tugged at the heartstrings of golf fans everywhere, Scottie Scheffler held his year-old son Bennett close, the very reason he had to skip the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in 2024. As he stood there, emotions swirling, Scheffler struggled to maintain his composure during a TV interview, a challenge he faced again during his victory speech.

As the top-ranked player, Scheffler had ample time to prepare for this moment, thanks to the commanding lead he carried into Sunday’s final round. Yet, he added a touch of drama by chasing the PGA Tour’s 72-hole scoring record. Scheffler matched the record of 253, a mark set by Justin Thomas at the 2017 Sony Open and equaled six years later by Ludvig Åberg at the RSM Classic, closing with a 63 to finish at 31 under par.

This runaway victory was a significant milestone, coming 11 years after Scheffler’s PGA Tour debut at the Nelson as a high school senior, and 22 years after a photo was taken of a then-6-year-old Scheffler with the tournament’s namesake. Reflecting on that day in 2014, Scheffler couldn’t help but think about his now-wife, Meredith, who was his girlfriend back then, and his sister Callie, who was his caddie and is now a mother of two.

“My family was all able to be here, and it was just really, really special memories, and I think at times it all comes crashing down to me at once,” Scheffler said. “We have a lot of great memories as kids coming to watch this tournament. I just dreamed to be able to play in it, and it’s more of a dream to be able to win it.”

Scheffler was on the brink of breaking the tour scoring record before a flubbed chip led to a bogey on the par-3 17th hole, followed by a par from a greenside bunker on the par-5 closing hole. His 8-foot putt for birdie and the record narrowly missed the left side of the hole.

Meanwhile, Hideki Matsuyama holds the lowest score in relation to par this season, 35 under on the par-73 Plantation Course at Kapalua.

Scheffler tied the 54-hole Nelson record with an eight-shot lead, and no one got closer than six during the final round. Erik van Rooyen of South Africa matched Scheffler’s 8-under 63 to finish at 23 under, three shots ahead of Sam Stevens and four ahead of another hometown favorite, Jordan Spieth.

• “We spoke last night, and I told you it was going to be a steep mountain to climb, and it was,” van Rooyen said. “Scottie was practically flawless, which is kind of what you expect from the world No. 1. Really proud with the golf I played.”

Scheffler and Spieth finished with the two lowest rounds of the tournament. Scheffler opened with a 10-under 61 on Thursday at the defenseless par-71 TPC Craig Ranch in a suburban community about 30 miles north of Dallas.

Spieth shot 62 in the final round, knowing his friend and fellow Texas alum was about to become the first of the pair to win the event they both cherish. Spieth was the first to make his tour debut at the Nelson, four years before Scheffler. On top of that, Spieth contended as a 16-year-old in 2010, leading many to believe he would have won it by now. Scheffler stole those bragging rights.

“I think I’ll take it easy on him,” Scheffler said with a chuckle.

Spieth played with Scheffler the first two days and was 12 shots behind him going into the weekend, so he understands how things have changed. They started the tournament with 13 PGA Tour wins apiece. Now, Spieth trails for the first time.

“It wasn’t that long ago I was definitely better than him, and now I’m definitely not right now,” said Spieth, a three-time major champion. “I hate admitting that about anybody, but I just watched it those first two rounds, and, like, I’ve got to get better. It’s very inspiring.”

It was the first victory this year for Scheffler after he won 10 times before May in the previous three years combined, including two Masters victories. Scheffler’s previous best Nelson finish was a tie for fifth in his most recent appearance two years ago. He’s the first wire-to-wire Nelson winner since Tom Watson 45 years ago.

“I’m not jealous of him winning this event over any other,” Spieth said. “I’m jealous of anyone that wins any week. When Scottie wins, I’m happy. It doesn’t matter where it is. If I’m not going to win, I like when he wins.”

Scheffler beat the previous Nelson scoring record of 259 set by Steven Bowditch in 2015. That tournament was played at the TPC Four Seasons. Normally a par 70, that course had a par-69 layout the final three days when heavy rain forced officials to convert a par 4 into a par 3. Bowditch finished 18 under.

The margin of victory was the second largest at the Nelson behind Sam Snead’s 10-shot win in 1957, when it was known as the Dallas Open Invitational.

“This is a golf course where you can kind of make a run, and I knew that I couldn’t just coast to the finish line today,” Scheffler said. “I knew I had to put together a good round.”

Because of heavy rain Wednesday and Friday, players were allowed to lift, clean and replace their golf balls in the fairway for the first three rounds, but not in the final round. Aberg had so-called preferred lies during the first rounds at the 2023 RSM Classic.