Scottie Scheffler cradled his year-old son Bennett 바카라 the reason he missed his beloved hometown CJ Cup Byron Nelson in 2024 바카라 and struggled to keep his emotions in check for a TV interview, just as he did a few minutes later during the victory speech. (More Sports News)
The top-ranked player had time to prepare for the moment because of the giant lead he took into Sunday's final round, and he even added a little drama by chasing the PGA Tour's 72-hole scoring record.
Scheffler matched that mark of 253 set by Justin Thomas at the 2017 Sony Open and equaled six years later by Ludvig Aberg at the RSM Classic, closing with a 63 to finish at 31 under par.
The runaway victory came 11 years after his PGA Tour debut at the Nelson as a high school senior, and 22 years after a photo was taken of then-6-year-old Scheffler with the tournament namesake.
Scheffler couldn't help but think about that day in 2014, when his now-wife, Meredith, was his girlfriend 바카라 not yet the mother of their first child 바카라 and sister Callie, now a mother of two, was his caddie.
바카라My family was all able to be here, and it was just really, really special memories, and I think at times it all comes crashing down to me at once,바카라 Scheffler said. 바카라We have a lot of great memories as kids coming to watch this tournament. I just dreamed to be able to play in it, and it바카라s more of a dream to be able to win it.바카라
Scheffler was in position to break the tour scoring record before a flubbed chip that led to bogey on the par-3 17th hole and a par from a greenside bunker on the par-5 closing hole. His 8-foot putt for birdie and the record slid by the left side of the hole.
Hideki Matsuyama has the lowest score in relation to par this season, 35 under on the par-73 Plantation Course at Kapalua.
Scheffler tied the 54-hole Nelson record with an eight-shot lead, and nobody got closer than six during the final round. Erik van Rooyen of South Africa matched Scheffler바카라s 8-under 63 to finish at 23 under, three shots ahead of Sam Stevens and four ahead of another hometown favorite, Jordan Spieth.
바카라We spoke last night, and I told you it was going to be a steep mountain to climb, and it was,바카라 van Rooyen said. 바카라Scottie was practically flawless, which is kind of what you expect from the world No. 1. Really proud with the golf I played.바카라
Scheffler and Spieth finished with the two lowest rounds of the tournament. Scheffler opened with a 10-under 61 on Thursday at the defenseless par-71 TPC Craig Ranch in a suburban community about 30 miles north of Dallas.
Spieth shot 62 in the final round, knowing his friend and fellow Texas alum was about to become the first of the pair to win the event they both cherish.
Spieth was the first to make his tour debut at the Nelson, four years before Scheffler. On top of that, Spieth contended as a 16-year-old in 2010, leading many to believe that surely he would have won it by now.
Scheffler stole those bragging rights.
바카라I think I바카라ll take it easy on him,바카라 Scheffler said with a chuckle.
Spieth played with Scheffler the first two days and was 12 shots behind him going into the weekend, so he understands how things have changed. They started the tournament with 13 PGA Tour wins apiece. Now Spieth trails for the first time.
바카라It wasn바카라t that long ago I was definitely better than him, and now I바카라m definitely not right now,바카라 said Spieth, a three-time major champion. 바카라I hate admitting that about anybody, but I just watched it those first two rounds, and, like, I바카라ve got to get better. It바카라s very inspiring.바카라
It was the first victory this year for Scheffler after he won a total of 10 times before May in the previous three years combined, including two Masters victories.
Scheffler바카라s previous best Nelson finish was a tie for fifth in his most recent appearance two years ago. Now he's the first wire-to-wire Nelson winner since Tom Watson 45 years ago.
바카라I바카라m not jealous of him winning this event over any other,바카라 Spieth said. 바카라I바카라m jealous of anyone that wins any week. When Scottie wins, I바카라m happy. It doesn바카라t matter where it is. If I바카라m not going to win, I like when he wins.바카라
Scheffler shattered the previous Nelson scoring record of 259 set by Steven Bowditch in 2015. That tournament was played at the TPC Four Seasons. Normally a par 70, that course had a par-69 layout the final three days when heavy rain forced officials to convert a par 4 into a par 3. Bowditch finished 18 under.
The margin of victory was the second-largest at the Nelson behind Sam Snead바카라s 10-shot win in 1957, when it was known as the Dallas Open Invitational.
바카라This is a golf course where you can kind of make a run, and I knew that I couldn바카라t just coast to the finish line today,바카라 Scheffler said. 바카라I knew I had to put together a good round.바카라
Because of heavy rain Wednesday and Friday, players were allowed to lift, clean and replace their golf balls in the fairway for the first three rounds, but not in the final round. Aberg had so-called preferred lies during the first rounds at the 2023 RSM Classic.
