Scottie Scheffler cries after missing putt to break 57-year PGA Tour record but lands $1.8million prize
Scottie Scheffler took home $1.8 million after dominating The CJ Cup Byron Nelson in his home state of Texas. But it could have been so much more after a bogey on 17 and missed putt on the final hole. GettyScheffler celebrates with wife Meredith and son Bennett in his hometown tournament[/caption] The world No.1 carded 63 on Sunday to finish on -31 for the tournament. He was eight shots clear of South Africa’s Erik van Rooyen after a near-faultless display in the tournament where he made his debut as a pro in 2014. Scheffler matched the record for fewest strokes in a PGA Tour tournament since its inception in 1968. He joined compatriot Justin Thomas whose benchmark of 253 was set at the 2017 Sony Open and equalled by Ludvig Åberg at the RSM Classic in 2023. Scheffler could have carded a 59 if he finished the final three holes in three-under par but bogeyed the 17th to end that dream. He was left with an eight-foot putt to go clear of Thomas and Åberg on the 18th but saw it slide agonizingly to the left of the hole. The American started the day eight shots clear and scored five birdies, a bogey and an eagle for a front-nine score of 30. Sitting on 29-under through 63 holes, birdies on 11, 14 and 15 put him within touching distance of the record. The 28-year-old fell short after sliding off the green on 17 but had plenty to celebrate after missing last year’s event for the birth of his son, Bennett. “[Van Rooyen] played a really good round today and put a lot of pressure on me. On the front nine, I did a good job of responding and kept him at bay. I played some nice balls,” said Scheffler in an emotional interview that saw him fight back tears while holding Bennett. Scheffler was joined by his young son for the post-round media dutiesCBS Sports GettyHe almost made history on the 18th after a superb round[/caption] “It’s pretty special. It’s hard to it’s hard to put into words. I got my first chance to play a professional event here in 2014 and I’m very thankful for that. “I learned a lot that week, and I was very inspired to come out here and try to make a living in this game. I’m very fortunate to be in this position.” The two-time Masters champion has now found form as he aims to win his first ever PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club later this month. “What he’s doing is inspiring,” fellow Texan Justin Spieth said of Scheffler. “It would have been really cool if I were the one in that last group, and at least we were going back and forth a little. That would have been pretty fun, just being hometown players. “I got a bit lucky on 18. I thought I hit it in the water, and I ended up making birdie. Those are the kinds of breaks you need to sometimes shoot 62.”
Scottie Scheffler took home $1.8 million after dominating The CJ Cup Byron Nelson in his home state of Texas.
But it could have been so much more after a bogey on 17 and missed putt on the final hole.
The world No.1 carded 63 on Sunday to finish on -31 for the tournament.
He was eight shots clear of South Africa’s Erik van Rooyen after a near-faultless display in the tournament where he made his debut as a pro in 2014.
Scheffler matched the record for fewest strokes in a PGA Tour tournament since its inception in 1968.
He joined compatriot Justin Thomas whose benchmark of 253 was set at the 2017 Sony Open and equalled by Ludvig Åberg at the RSM Classic in 2023.
Scheffler could have carded a 59 if he finished the final three holes in three-under par but bogeyed the 17th to end that dream.
He was left with an eight-foot putt to go clear of Thomas and Åberg on the 18th but saw it slide agonizingly to the left of the hole.
The American started the day eight shots clear and scored five birdies, a bogey and an eagle for a front-nine score of 30.
Sitting on 29-under through 63 holes, birdies on 11, 14 and 15 put him within touching distance of the record.
The 28-year-old fell short after sliding off the green on 17 but had plenty to celebrate after missing last year’s event for the birth of his son, Bennett.
“[Van Rooyen] played a really good round today and put a lot of pressure on me. On the front nine, I did a good job of responding and kept him at bay. I played some nice balls,” said Scheffler in an emotional interview that saw him fight back tears while holding Bennett.
“It’s pretty special. It’s hard to it’s hard to put into words. I got my first chance to play a professional event here in 2014 and I’m very thankful for that.
“I learned a lot that week, and I was very inspired to come out here and try to make a living in this game. I’m very fortunate to be in this position.”
The two-time Masters champion has now found form as he aims to win his first ever PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club later this month.
“What he’s doing is inspiring,” fellow Texan Justin Spieth said of Scheffler.
“It would have been really cool if I were the one in that last group, and at least we were going back and forth a little. That would have been pretty fun, just being hometown players.
“I got a bit lucky on 18. I thought I hit it in the water, and I ended up making birdie. Those are the kinds of breaks you need to sometimes shoot 62.”
