Scheffler Earns Emotional Win at Nelson
McKINNEY — Between course changes and schedule shuffling, the CJ Cup Byron Nelson has seen its PGA Tour stature decrease in the past decade. Don’t tell that to Scottie Scheffler.
The former Highland Park standout has won the Masters twice, along with an Olympic gold medal, a Ryder Cup, and a Tour championship. However, he became reflective while securing his first title at his hometown event on Sunday at TPC Craig Ranch.
“I grew up coming to watch it,” Scheffler said. “I would come out on the driving range and watch these guys practice, hitting their brand new range balls. I just dreamed to be able to play in it, and it’s more of a dream to be able to win it.”
Scheffler, the world’s top-ranked golfer, was dominant in all four rounds to claim his first tournament victory of 2025 by eight strokes over Erik van Rooyen of South Africa.
He tied the tournament record by shooting 31-under par over four rounds, including a 10-under 61 in the opening round. The performance also tied the Tour under-par mark for a 72-hole event.
Scheffler won a state championship in high school for the Scots, had a successful college career at the University of Texas, and has amassed 17 professional wins in the past three-plus years.
Since making his PGA Tour debut as an amateur at the Nelson in 2014, during his junior year at HP, hoisting the trophy on the 18th green has been a goal. He missed last year’s event while his wife, Meredith, gave birth to their son, Bennett.
“The girl I was dating at the time [in 2014] is now my wife. My sister was caddying for me at the time. 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. “When my family is here, I always tend to get a bit emotional.”
That appreciation extends to Nelson, who died in 2006. Scheffler recalls taking a photo as a child with the golf legend and tournament namesake.
“When I think about this tournament, I think about Mr. Nelson. I’m proud to be here supporting his tournament and his legacy,” he said. “The lasting memory I have as a kid was just being able to play in the tournament and what it meant to me at the time. It really inspired me to come out here and try to do this for a living even more.”
Meanwhile, Preston Hollow resident and former Jesuit Dallas standout Jordan Spieth recovered from a slow start to finish in fourth place. His final round of 9-under 62 was his best in any tournament in four years, leaving him optimistic for the rest of the season.
Spieth finished 12 shots behind Scheffler, with whom he was grouped on Thursday and Friday, drawing huge galleries. He has played the Nelson 13 times since 2010, and this finish was his best other than a runner-up showing in 2022.
“What he’s doing is inspiring. It wasn’t that long ago I was definitely better than him, and I’m definitely not right now. I hate admitting that about anybody, but I just watched it those first two rounds, and I’ve got to get better,” Spieth said of Scheffler. “He certainly has earned this one. 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.”
