Scheffler returns to Byron Nelson as defending champ

Scottie Scheffler returns to the CJ Cup Byron Nelson this week as the defending champion at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas, after last year's eight-shot victory at his hometown event. The PGA Tour lists the tournament dates as May 21-24 and a $10.3 million purse, with 500 FedExCup points to the winner. Golf Channel reported Tuesday that Scheffler is back in the field after the PGA Championship, where he tied for 14th. The 2026 start comes with a different backdrop than a year ago. Golf Channel said TPC Craig Ranch has been renovated since Scheffler's 2025 win, and the field this week includes 145 players. Round 1 coverage begins Thursday afternoon on Golf Channel. (pgatour.com) ### How dominant was Scheffler here last year? Scheffler finished at 253 in 2025, matching the PGA Tour's 72-hole scoring record in an eight-shot win at the Byron Nelson. The PGA Tour said he closed with a 63 to reach 31-under par and tie the mark previously set by Justin Thomas at the 2017 Sony Open and matched later by Ludvig Åberg at the 2023 RSM Classic. (golfchannel.com) McKinney was the site of one of Scheffler's most one-sided wins. The PGA Tour said nobody got closer than six shots during the final round, and Erik van Rooyen finished second at 23-under. Scheffler also became the first wire-to-wire Byron Nelson winner since Tom Watson 45 years earlier, according to the tour's recap. (pgatour.com) ### What exactly is he defending this week? The PGA Tour's event page lists Scheffler as the 2025 champion and records his winning total as 253 at 31-under. That same page shows Taylor Pendrith won in 2024 at 261 and Jason Day won in 2023, placing Scheffler's score well below recent winning totals at TPC Craig Ranch. (pgatour.com) TPC Craig Ranch has produced low scores since the tournament moved there, but Scheffler's number still stands out. The PGA Tour said his 253 broke the Byron Nelson tournament scoring record of 259 set by Steven Bowditch in 2015, when the event was still played at TPC Four Seasons. (pgatour.com) ### Who is in his group and when does he start? Golf Channel's tee sheet lists Scheffler in a Thursday morning group with Brooks Koepka and Si Woo Kim. That threesome is scheduled to start at 8:33 a.m. EDT from the 10th tee in the first round. (pgatour.com) Jordan Spieth is also in the field and is grouped with Sungjae Im and Chris Kirk at 1:43 p.m. EDT from the first tee, according to Golf Channel. Golf Channel also said several top names are skipping the event, but Koepka, Si Woo Kim and Wyndham Clark are among the notable players entered. (golfchannel.com) ### Where does this fit on Scheffler's schedule? Golf Channel said Scheffler's title defense comes immediately after the PGA Championship. Its report noted that last year's Byron Nelson win came one week after he captured the PGA Championship, while this year's return follows a PGA Championship in which he finished tied for 14th. (golfchannel.com) The Byron Nelson is one of the most personal stops on Scheffler's schedule. The PGA Tour's 2025 recap called it his hometown event, and Golf Channel described this week's start as a defense on home turf in Texas. (golfchannel.com) ### What happens next at Craig Ranch? Thursday, May 21, is the opening round at TPC Craig Ranch, with Golf Channel listing pregame coverage from 2-3 p.m. EDT and tournament coverage from 3-7 p.m. EDT. The PGA Tour says the event runs through Sunday, May 24, when the winner will collect 500 FedExCup points from a $10.3 million purse. (golfchannel.com) (pgatour.com)