It’s probably a bit traditional of me, but a score of -31 in a PGA Tour event is quite something.
Scotty Schaeffler seems genuinely aware of that. He dominated at the CJ Cup held at TPC Craig Ranch, finishing with an incredible 31-under par. Eric Van Rooyen took second place, and he was eight strokes behind. Just think about it: scoring 23 under par and still not coming out on top!
This win marks Scotty’s first of the season, and he managed to keep his score at home, coming in 14th overall. He now has 14 wins, making him the 72nd player in tour history to reach that milestone. Notably, this victory also signifies four consecutive seasons where Schaeffler has claimed a win.
It’s been quite a while since Schaeffler has been such a dominant presence in golf. He’s held the world number one spot for 103 weeks now.
Last week, we discussed course setup, but it’s essential to remember to focus on the course that’s right in front of you. Schaeffler certainly did, tying the record for the lowest score in a 72-hole event on the tour since 1983.
- 253 – Scottie Scheffler, 2025 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- 253 – Ludvig Aberg, 2023 RSM Classic
- 253 – Justin Thomas, Sony Open in Hawaii, 2017
- 254 – Dustin Johnson, 2020 FedEx St. Jude Championship
- 254 – Tommy Armor III, 2003 Valero Texas Open
Regarding the players Schaeffler matched—Ludvig Aberg and Justin Thomas—each has their own notable wins this season. Aberg triumphed at the Genesis Invitational, while Thomas secured the RBC Heritage. On another note, Rory McIlroy bagged victories at both the Players Championship and the Masters, not to mention his win at Pebble Beach before Genesis.
Ultimately, this reflects the current strength of professional golf. With the PGA Championship coming up next week, all these players will aspire to excel at Cool Hollow.
But first, there’s another Signature Event—the Truist Championship!
