2025 CJ Cup Byron Nelson leaderboard: Scottie Scheffler puts on a clinic in Round 1 at TPC Craig Ranch

The world No. 1 stands alone on top playing in his hometown event

Perhaps all that was missing in Scottie Scheffler's game was a little home cooking. Entering the CJ Cup Byron Nelson -- the midway point of the 2025 PGA Tour season -- without a victory this year, Scheffler surged to the top of the Round 1 leaderboard Thursday afternoon at TPC Craig Ranch. 

The Dallas resident was stupendous across his initial 18 holes as he opened his tournament with a first-round 61 to command the early lead. Scheffler occupies the top spot at 10 under and sits two strokes clear of Jhonattan Vegas and Rico Hoey, who rattled off five straight birdies at one stage of his first round.

"It's a ton of fun for us to be able to play in front of the fans here at home. Jordan [Spieth] and I love playing here this week," Scheffler said. "This tournament has meant a lot to us over the years, and so it's really good to be here this week playing again. Obviously last year I was missing for some pretty good reasons. I wasn't too sad about what was going on in my life at the time. I obviously missed being here, and [I'm] excited to be back."