At TPC Craig Ranch, Scottie Scheffler showcased an outstanding performance to claim the early lead in Round 1 of the 2025 CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Entering the tournament still searching for his first win of the season, Scheffler made a significant statement with an impressive first-round score of 61, placing him at 10 under par.

Scheffler’s Stellar Start

Starting strong at his home turf in Dallas, Scheffler demonstrated his skills by achieving a remarkable streak. After parring the first two holes, he propelled himself forward, scoring seven birdies over his next nine holes. The highlight of his round came on the par-5 9th, where a spectacular shot from 245 yards set him up for an easy birdie opportunity, finishing with a front-nine score of 29.

“It’s a ton of fun for us to play in front of the fans here at home,” said Scheffler. “This tournament has meant a lot to us over the years.” His eagerness to compete was palpable, especially after missing the event in 2024 for personal reasons.

Maintaining Momentum

Continuing on the back nine, Scheffler notched a birdie on the 13th hole and again on the challenging par-3 17th, which added to his remarkable opening round. He considered challenging the 60-mark on the final hole but settled for a 61. “I kept hitting fairways and greens, and was able to take advantage of the holes I needed to,” he added.

The Competition

In the standings following Scheffler is a tie for second place, with Jhonattan Vegas and Rico Hoey both at 8 under par. Hoey, in particular, showed his prowess by scoring five consecutive birdies during his round.

Jordan Spieth Struggles

Meanwhile, Jordan Spieth faced a challenging start to the tournament. Despite being in his familiar surroundings, he struggled with his putting and finished the day at 2 under par. Spieth expressed frustration over missed opportunities on the greens. “I need to start putting like the Spieth of old,” he stated.

Looking Ahead

With three more rounds to go, Scheffler holds a comfortable two-stroke lead. However, his performances in subsequent rounds have been inconsistent this season, particularly on Saturdays. Historically, he has excelled in Rounds 1 and 4 but ranked 109th for Round 3 on the PGA Tour.

Current Standings

The leaderboard after Round 1 is as follows:

• 1. Scottie Scheffler (-10)
• T2. Rico Hoey, Jhonattan Vegas (-8)
• T4. Cameron Champ, Stephan Jaeger, Michael Thorbjornsen, Eric Cole, Andrew Putnam, Patton Kizzire (-7)
• T10. Rafael Campos, Mackenzie Hughes, Karl Vilips, Trey Mullinax, Rasmus Højgaard, Chandler Phillips, Sam Stevens (-6)

Betting Odds Update

Current odds via Caesars Sportsbook reflect Scheffler’s dominance:

• Scottie Scheffler: -190
• Stephan Jaeger: 22-1
• Rico Hoey: 25-1
• Michael Thorbjornsen: 26-1
• Jhonattan Vegas: 30-1
• Eric Cole: 35-1

As the tournament progresses, fans will eagerly watch how Scheffler maintains his lead and whether his competitors, such as Champ, who had a solid opening round with a score of 64, can close the gap.