Full Breakdown
2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson: Scheffler Defends, Koepka Chases First Post-LIV Victory
5/22/2026, 6:53:36 AM
Opening-Round Overview
The CJ Cup Byron Nelson began Thursday, May 21, at the newly renovated TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas (par 71, ~7,385 yd). World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler opened with a 66, while five-time major champion Brooks Koepka posted an 8-under 63 to lead early. Texas native Taylor Moore carded a 62, the day’s low round, and moved to –9, one stroke ahead of Koepka. Si Woo Kim (No. 24) recorded a 64, the only bogey-free round among the three-player group with Scheffler.
Course Redesign and Its Impact
A $25 million overhaul, led by Lanny Wadkins, added deeper bunkers, re-contoured all 18 greens and introduced new bentgrass turf. Organizers intended to curb the historically low scores that have hovered around 25-under in recent years. Players noted the added slope on the greens and tighter fairway bunkering, though early rounds still produced multiple sub-70 scores.
Principal Contenders
- Scottie Scheffler – defending champion, seeking a repeat on his hometown course after a record-tying 31-under win in 2025.
- Brooks Koepka – returning from LIV Golf, aiming for his first PGA Tour victory since rejoining the Tour; using a Scotty Cameron Fastback 1.5 putter.
- Taylor Moore – 2023 Valspar champion, posted the day’s best round (62).
- Si Woo Kim – highest-ranked player behind Scheffler, posted a 64 with only one bogey.
Other notable names include Jesper Svensson (–8), Emiliano Grillo, Keith Mitchell and Stephan Jaeger, all tied at –7 after round 1.
Scores and Statistics
- Leaderboard after round 1: Moore –9 (62), Koepka –8 (63), Svensson –8, Scheffler –5 (66), Kim –7 (64).
- 24 players were at –7 or better.
- Total purse $10.3 million; winner’s share $1.854 million.
- Koepka hit 14 greens in regulation and recorded eight birdies and an eagle despite only three fairways hit.
Official Statements & Responses
Scheffler emphasized his confidence on the revamped greens, noting a recent improvement in his putting. Koepka described the group dynamics as “comfortable” and expressed optimism about the new putter and his proximity to earning entry into the season’s remaining signature events. Moore said the early lead felt “pretty stoked” and that finding rhythm early was crucial.
Criticism of the Redesign
Some players, including Keith Mitchell, warned that the softer conditions may blunt the intended difficulty, suggesting the course’s “teeth” will only appear when the greens dry out. Analysts have pointed out that despite the redesign, the tournament still produced a 62, indicating the changes have not fully mitigated low-scoring potential.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact yardage of TPC Craig Ranch (7,385 yd vs. 7,414 yd) and the reported cost of the renovation ($22 million vs. $25 million). No official clarification has been released.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I’ve actually putted the best that I have in my career so far this year and just kind of get a reset, get on some new greens, work on my reads, make sure I’m checking all my fundamentals.” — Scottie Scheffler, World No. 1
- “Everyone is just kind of feeding off each other, easy. Everyone’s having fun. Makes it enjoyable. I feel comfortable on the golf course as well.” — Brooks Koepka, Five-time major champion
- “I think, when I won [The CJ Cup] the last time, I got back to No. 1 in the world. I think there's such a huge difference right now of trying to get into signature events…on my way back, coming back to the Tour.” — Brooks Koepka
- “I've only played a couple times in the last few weeks, so it was good to get in a rhythm early.” — Taylor Moore, Valspar champion
- “It was a good round, then I putted great,” — Si Woo Kim, World No. 24
What’s Next
Round 2 will test the new bunkers and green contours under potentially firmer conditions. With 500 FedExCup points on the line, players are also eyeing the Aon Swing 5 standings, which influence entry into the season’s remaining signature events. Scheffler aims to repeat his dominant performance, while Koepka hopes the putter change will translate into a win and secure his place in the upcoming majors.
