Scottie Scheffler of the United States has had a historic 2025 season. With six wins so far, he has matched the magnitude of his 2024 campaign, when he claimed seven titles. Two of this year's six victories came at major championships — the PGA Championship in May and The Open in July.
The starting point of Scheffler's great 2025 run was none other than his hometown event, the PGA Tour's THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson. After winning The American Express in January, Scheffler's victory streak paused, and he is now preparing to tee off as defending champion at this week's tournament, hoping to set up another surge.
Scheffler will compete in THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson over four days starting Wednesday, Korea time, at TPC Craig Ranch (par 71) in McKinney, Texas. The tournament carries a total purse of $10.3 million, with $1.854 million going to the winner.
Scheffler, who claimed last year's title in dominant fashion at 31-under 253, returns this year aiming for a second consecutive win. Since 1968, only three players have successfully defended their title at this event: Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and K.H. Lee. A victory would make Scheffler the fourth player to win back-to-back titles at the tournament.
Scheffler's chances of achieving the feat are strong because the venue is in the area he considers home. Born in New Jersey but raised in Texas and a graduate of the University of Texas, Scheffler still lives in the state. The first PGA Tour event he played as an amateur was also the Byron Nelson tournament held in Texas.
Passionate local fan support is another boost for Scheffler. Last year, more than 60,000 spectators turned up on the third round day alone. Jordan Spieth, Scheffler's University of Texas alumnus, is also on the entry list again this year, setting the stage for fan support comparable to last year's.
Players sponsored by the tournament's title sponsor, CJ, will also be out in force. Leading the way is Kim Si-woo, who has made the cut in all 14 events he has played this year and has finished inside the top 10 six times. Kim, who finished tied for 15th last year — the best result among Team CJ — is determined to extend his current form and lift his first PGA Tour trophy in three years and four months at his sponsor's event.
Im Sung-jae, who missed the cut at last week's PGA Championship but finished tied for fifth at the previous signature event, the Truist Championship, is another Team CJ player to watch. So is Bae Yong-jun, the only Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) Tour player in the field this week.
