Scottie Scheffler made history at the 2025 CJ Cup Byron Nelson, capping off his dominant performance with the lowest 72-hole score ever recorded on the PGA Tour. His remarkable 31-under 253 finish ties the record set by Justin Thomas in 2017 at the Sony Open and matched by Ludvig Åberg at the 2023 RSM Classic. Scheffler’s performance not only earned him a spectacular victory but also added another milestone to his already impressive career.
A Spectacular Final Round
On Sunday, Scheffler came out firing at TPC Craig Ranch, posting an 8-under 63 to seal his victory. He started his round with a birdie-bogey combination on Nos. 2 and 3 but quickly found his rhythm. Scheffler rattled off four consecutive birdies before finishing his front nine with a brilliant 20-foot eagle at the par-5 ninth hole.
“I never really felt like my lead was too comfortable,” Scheffler admitted. “I always tried to keep pushing, hitting good shots.”
Continuing his assault on the course, Scheffler added birdies on Nos. 11, 14, and 15, all from inside eight feet, pushing his score to 32 under par. However, a rare misstep on the 17th hole, where he flubbed a chip shot that rolled back to his feet, resulted in a bogey. He finished with a par at the par-5 18th hole, which kept his score at 31 under for the week.
Scheffler’s Historic Performance in Context
Scheffler’s 31-under score makes him only the second player in PGA Tour history to break the 30-under mark outside of Kapalua, joining Dustin Johnson, who posted 30 under at the 2020 Northern Trust. This performance earned him a spot in the exclusive 30-under club, and with Hideki Matsuyama’s 35-under score earlier this year at The Sentry, Scheffler now holds the record for the lowest score relative to par in the continental United States.
Despite his flawless play, Scheffler remained focused, noting, “It was going to take something special for [Erik van Rooyen] today in order to catch me. I think he did his best to put up a special round. I just played really well as well.”
The Rise of Van Rooyen and the Strong Competition
Erik van Rooyen, who finished in second place, was eight shots behind Scheffler. Van Rooyen’s impressive 63 on the final day was a testament to his excellent play, but it was no match for Scheffler’s relentless pursuit of perfection.
“I told you it was going to be a steep mountain to climb, and it was,” van Rooyen said after the round. “Scottie was practically flawless, which is kind of what you expect from the world No. 1. But, yeah, really proud with the golf I played.”
Van Rooyen also recalled a moment on the 9th hole when he hit a 5-iron to five feet, only for Scheffler to respond with an eagle, a reminder of just how high the bar was set that week. “There’s nothing you can do,” van Rooyen added. “Absolute hat’s off to Scottie. He’s played fantastic golf.”
Scheffler’s Homecoming Victory
This victory was particularly special for Scheffler, as it marked his first win at the Byron Nelson, an event that holds deep personal meaning for him. Growing up in Dallas, Scheffler would often attend the tournament, watching his idols from the driving range. His ties to the event are even more poignant considering his first appearance came in 2014 when he was a senior at Highland Park High School.
“When I think about this tournament, I think about a lot of different stuff,” Scheffler said. “I grew up coming to watch it. This was my first start on the PGA Tour when I was in high school. The girl I was dating at the time is now my wife. We have one son. My sister was caddieing for me at the time. She was here today. She has two kids. My family was all able to be here, and it was just really, really special memories.”
Renovations and New Challenges Await at TPC Craig Ranch
Looking ahead, the TPC Craig Ranch course will soon undergo a $15 million renovation led by former major champion Lanny Wadkins. The redesign will provide a fresh challenge for future tournaments, with a focus on giving players a well-rounded test of their skills. Wadkins emphasized the importance of creating a balanced golf course that tests everything from driving accuracy to iron play.
“The players love a good, solid test of golf; they don’t want it to be a putting contest,” said Wadkins. “They want it to be something to test every bit of their ability from driving in the fairway and quality iron play and everything else that goes into shooting a round of golf. They want that, and that’s what we intend to give them.”
However, Scheffler’s record-breaking performance at the 2025 Byron Nelson proves that even with changes ahead, the challenge of a PGA Tour event is more than just about the course. It’s about finding the right form and pushing the limits of what’s possible, a challenge Scheffler passed with flying colors.
As Scheffler reflects on his dominant win, it’s clear that the world No. 1 is not resting on his laurels. With a major victory under his belt and a thrilling win at his hometown event, Scheffler’s confidence is soaring as he prepares for the next leg of the PGA Tour season.
Scheffler’s victory at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson not only etched his name in the history books but also solidified his position as one of golf’s most formidable players. As he continues to build on his success, fans can expect more dominant performances from the Texan who has shown time and time again that he’s more than capable of handling the pressure of the PGA Tour’s biggest stages.
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