Scheffler Shoots 10 Under Par... Shows Off "Dallas Power"

Two-Shot Lead for Scheffler After Round 1 of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Perfect Play with One Eagle and Eight Birdies
Siwoo Kim and Sungjae Im at Four Under, Byeonghun An at Three Under

Scottie Scheffler (USA) showcased his dominance as world number one in his "second hometown."

On May 1 (local time), at TPC Craig Ranch (par 71, 7,569 yards) in McKinney, near Dallas, Texas, Scheffler surged to the top of the leaderboard with a 10-under-par 61 in the first round of the PGA Tour's CJ Cup Byron Nelson (total prize money $9.9 million). Jonathan Vegas (Venezuela) and Lloyd Go (Philippines) are tied for second place with 8-under-par 63, while seven players, including Cameron Champ (USA), are in a tie for fourth at 7-under-par 64, chasing the leader.

Scottie Scheffler is teeing off at the 17th hole of the first round of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. McKinney, USA - AP Yonhap News Photo by AP

Scheffler carded one eagle and eight birdies without a single bogey. He gained momentum with four consecutive birdies from holes 3 to 6, added another birdie on the 8th, and followed it up with an eagle on the par-5 9th to take the lead. On the back nine, he picked up three more birdies on the par-4 13th and holes 17 and 18. Although Scheffler was not born in Dallas, he learned golf here and played for the University of Texas golf team, making him a true "Dallas man."

Scheffler, holding a two-shot lead, is now in position to claim his 14th career victory, seven months after winning the Tour Championship in September last year. This year, he has played in eight tournaments, finishing in the top 10 five times but without a win. In a post-round interview, he said, "My play on the front nine allowed me to stay solid on the back nine. Overall, I'm satisfied with my performance."

Siwoo Kim is putting on the 9th hole of the first round at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. McKinney, USA - Photo by AFP Yonhap News

Among Korean players, Siwoo Kim, who played alongside Scheffler, posted the best score with a 4-under-par 67. On the final 18th hole (par 5), his third shot from the rough found the cup for an eagle. He commented, "Today's play wasn't bad. I think I finished well enough to carry momentum into tomorrow," adding, "First, I'll focus on making the cut, and then plan to play more aggressively over the weekend." Im Sungjae also finished at 4-under-par 67, An Byeonghun shot 3-under-par 68, Kang Sunghoon recorded 1-under-par 70, and Kim Joohyung carded a 1-over-par 72.