Firm Stance Maintained, Scheffler Takes Lead

Scottie Scheffler Stays Ahead at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson

On a Saturday (Sunday, May 4, 2025, PH time), hometown hero Scottie Scheffler cemented his commanding lead at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. While his performance wasn't as overpowering as the first two rounds, he wrapped up the third round with a determined 5-under 66, standing at a formidable 23 under.

With an eight-shot advantage, Scheffler is marching towards a historic victory. The third round was halted for six hours due to inclement weather on Friday, causing about half the field, including 18 players yet to start, to complete their second rounds over the weekend.

Erik von Rooyen (65), Adam Schenk (65), and Ricky Castillo (67) share second place at 15 under. Kurt Kitiyama (68) and Jhonattan Vegas (67) trail closely at 14 under.

Initially, Scheffler registered his first two bogeys of the tournament on Saturday, dropping to 2 under for the day through 13 holes. Yet, he regained his form on the closing stretch. He birdied the 14th with a tap-in after a flawless drive onto the green, and then birdied the 15th after putting his tee shot within four feet.

Even as darkness descended (the horn sounded as Scheffler's group teed off on 18), Scheffler, Castillo, and Sam Stevens managed to complete their rounds. Despite the fading light, Scheffler's approach on the 18th found the green, though he couldn't witness the ball land. He then two-putted from 31 feet.

Scheffler's eight-shot lead mirrors Rory McIlroy's remarkable eight-shot lead at the 2011 U.S. Open[2]. A victory at the Nelson would make Scheffler the first Dallas high school golfer to win the event since Scott Verplank in 2007. He also stands a chance to join Mark Hayes (1976) and Tom Watson (1980) as the only wire-to-wire winners in the tournament's history.

Van Rooyen, in the rough near the 18th green in two, failed to capitalize, finishing with a bogey and falling short of equaling the day's low round. "The rough was quite thin," said Van Rooyen. "I thought I could scoot the ball through it. I didn't the first time. Then it came out dead the second time as well. So I just got it wrong."

Schenk, who also posted a 65, bogeyed the 15th and slowed his pace. Stevens, who started the day in second, stumbled with four bogeys in a five-hole stretch and finds himself among five players at 13 under. Antoine Rozner carded the day's lowest round with a 63.

Jordan Spieth, another Dallas local and former university golfer, shot his second consecutive 67 and stood at 10 under.

[2] Enrichment Data: Scheffler’s eight-shot lead is the largest 54-hole lead on the PGA Tour since Rory McIlroy’s eight-shot advantage at the 2011 U.S. Open. McIlroy went on to win that tournament at Congressional Country Club with a total score of 268, 16 under par.

The interruption due to inclement weather on Friday at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson caused about half the field, including 18 players yet to start, to complete their second rounds over the weekend.
On a Saturday (Sunday, May 4, 2025, PH time), competing golfers faced a challenging weather condition that delayed the start of rounds for some players.
As darkness descended on Saturday, Scheffler, Castillo, and Sam Stevens managed to complete their rounds, showcasing their determination and focus in sports.
Even with the golf tournament's schedule disrupted by weather, Scottie Scheffler remained robust in his performance, leading the competition by a formidable eight shots in the 2025 CJ Cup Byron Nelson.