McKinney, Texas — Scottie Scheffler, the world’s top golfer, is poised to secure his first victory of the year at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson as he built a commanding six-shot lead during a weather-impacted second round. Following interruptions from severe storms, play was paused for over six hours, leaving many competitors still on the course with 18 players yet to tee off.
Scheffler delivered a stellar performance at TPC Craig Ranch, posting an eight-under-par 63 that brought his 36-hole total to an impressive 18 under. His aggregate score of 124 after opening with a 61 marks the second-lowest 36-hole tally in PGA Tour history, only surpassed by Justin Thomas’s remarkable 123 during the 2017 Sony Open.
In second place is American Sam Stevens, who trails at 12 under. With the second round set to resume Saturday, competitors will face the challenge of an evolving course as they tackle their final holes before moving on to the third round.
Scheffler’s day concluded on a high note, as he eagled the 18th hole after starting on the back nine. He continued his momentum by racking up six birdies on the front nine upon returning to play. “I’m feeling good,” Scheffler said, reflecting on his performance. “These past two days have gone really well. Overall, I’m happy with how I’ve played.”
Highlighting the unique demands of the course, he noted, “It’s a venue where you have to make birdies, and the conditions were consistently changing today.” Playing close to home makes the event particularly significant for the Texan. “This tournament means a lot to me, and it feels great to be playing some good golf here,” he added.
As the tournament unfolds, all eyes are on Scheffler as he aims for a pivotal win that could set the tone for the remainder of his season. Fans and players alike are eagerly anticipating how the shifting conditions will affect the rest of the field as they seek to match Scheffler’s extraordinary play.