Scottie Scheffler grabs PGA lead with sizzling 61 at CJ Cup Byron Nelson

HOUSTON – Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler is slowly but surely getting back to his best.

On May 1, the American fired a 10-under 61, his lowest round of the year, to seize a two-stroke lead at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson tournament.

The 28-year-old, seeking his first victory of 2025 after taking nine titles last season, finished a bogey-free opening round with back-to-back birdies in his hometown event at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas, near Dallas.

“I hit the ball really well,” Scheffler said. “I gave myself a lot of opportunities, hit a lot of fairways, hit some really good iron shots in there close. A lot of it had to do with my ball-striking. I hit it really nice.

“This is a golf course that you’ve got to make some birdies on, especially a day like today when there wasn’t much wind. There are some scoring opportunities that you need to take advantage of and fortunately I was able to take advantage of those holes.”

The two-time Masters champion was one off the course record held by South Korean Noh Seung-yul.

Scheffler also said he was not too broken up about missing last year’s Byron Nelson since he had a good reason – the birth of his first child. But he was glad to be back, and he played like it.

“It’s a ton of fun for us to be able to play in front of the fans here at home,” he added.

“Jordan (Spieth, fellow Texas native) and I love playing here this week. This tournament has meant a lot to us over the years, and so it’s really good to be here this week playing again.”

Filipino veteran Rico Hoey, seeking his first PGA title, fired his lowest PGA score to share second on 63 with Venezuela’s