Scottie Scheffler posted an opening-round 66 on Thursday at the CJ CUP Byron Nelson.
TPC Craig Ranch was very scoreable on day one, but Scheffler didn’t take full advantage like his playing partner Brooks Koepka did.
The two Americans played alongside Si Woo Kim on Thursday at the CJ CUP and the group combined for a score of 20-under par.
Scottie Scheffler hasn’t quite been at his brilliant best on the PGA Tour this year and his opening round at the CJ CUP Byron Nelson was symbolic of his season so far.
Meanwhile, Koepka ‘s round of 63 was a long time coming, after he finally holed some mid-range putts.
Brooks Koepka loved playing with Scottie Scheffler at the CJ CUP on Thursday, but did the world number one feel the same way?
Scheffler addressed the media after his opening round at TPC Craig Ranch on Thursday morning.
The Dallas native was asked how he felt watching Koepka go so low while he was making hard work of things at times.
“ Yeah, I felt like I was getting lapped out there for a little bit, “ the 29-year-old said.
“ So I was fortunate to make a couple birdies late in the round and keep myself in the tournament.
“ I feel like sometimes in these tests, once you start getting behind, you can kind of start falling pretty far behind, and it can be difficult to catch up. It was nice to kind of stay in it.
“ Overall, it was a fun group. We had good momentum in the group the whole day. Like you said, Brooks played great, and Si Woo played really nice as well. Hopefully more of that the next couple days. “
After his round, the world number one was asked to deliver his verdict on the state of his game right now.
“ I felt like I was pretty close, “ Scheffler replied.
“ I did some good stuff. I felt I was a little short with my irons. It’s just a matter of getting closer and holing a few more putts.
“ Overall I felt like I did some good stuff, just hitting it closer and holing a few more putts. But overall, did a lot of good things. “
Scheffler thinks he’s close to producing his best golf and his recent form has felt pretty ominous.
He had three runner-up finishes in a row before ending up in a tie for 14th at the PGA Championship last week.
If Scottie Scheffler starts rolling in some putts, it won’t be long before he wins again, and nobody should be surprised if he ends up lifting the trophy at the CJ CUP Byron Nelson on Sunday.
