World No. 1 Shines Bright in Texas as Weather Disrupts Play at TPC Craig Ranch
For most players, a six-hour storm delay might break rhythm or dampen momentum. For Scottie Scheffler, it simply couldn’t rain on his parade.
The world number one continued his dominant form on home soil at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, extending his lead to six strokes after a clinical second-round 63 at TPC Craig Ranch. Despite Friday’s lengthy weather delay in McKinney, Texas, Scheffler looked completely undeterred, producing one of the finest 36-hole stretches of his career — and, in fact, one of the best in PGA Tour history.
With rounds of 61 and 63, Scheffler now sits at 18-under-par for the tournament, and his 124 total through two rounds is the lowest of his career. It also ties the second-lowest 36-hole score in PGA Tour history, just one shy of Justin Thomas’ blistering 123 at the 2017 Sony Open in Hawaii.
Storms Pause the Action, But Not Scheffler’s Rhythm
Mother Nature certainly had her say on Friday. Lightning storms rolled in and halted play for more than six hours, throwing the tournament schedule into disarray. By sunset, 18 players still hadn’t even hit their opening tee shots of the second round, with Saturday now set to be a marathon day of golf.
But amidst the uncertainty and stop-start chaos, Scheffler was all calm and clinical. Starting his second round on the 10th hole, the Texan made the turn at five under after a stunning eagle at the par-five 18th. When play resumed later in the afternoon, he picked up right where he left off — adding birdies at 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, and 9 to cap off an eight-under-par 63.
“I’m feeling good,” Scheffler said with his usual composed demeanor. “I’ve had two nice days out here. Overall, very pleased with how I played.”
A Familiar Stage for a Homegrown Star
There’s something special about a hometown hero performing in front of a home crowd — and for Scheffler, this week has carried that extra emotional charge. Born and raised in Texas, the 27-year-old is playing just up the road from where he grew up. The CJ Cup Byron Nelson holds sentimental value, and it’s showing in his game.
“It’s great to be playing at home,” he said. “This tournament means a lot to me, and it’s nice to be playing good golf as well.”
This isn’t just a feel-good narrative — it’s a statement. Scheffler, already widely regarded as the most consistent player in the world over the past two seasons, has yet to notch a win in 2024. Now, with his putter starting to cooperate and his ball-striking as elite as ever, he’s sending a clear message to the rest of the field.
Birdies, Eagles, and Historic Numbers
Scheffler’s numbers over the first two days are nothing short of staggering. He’s tallied 17 birdies and an eagle across 36 holes, with just a single bogey on his card. His strokes-gained metrics are off the charts — particularly in approach and tee-to-green — and his distance control has been surgical.
The highlight of the round came at the 18th, his ninth hole of the day, where he reached the green in two and rolled in a 20-footer for eagle. That kind of firepower has put him in a league of his own this week.
Behind him, American Sam Stevens sits at 12 under, a respectable total on any other weekend, but still six shots adrift of the runaway leader. For Stevens and the chasing pack, the challenge now is not just to catch Scheffler — it’s to stop him from running away with it completely.
The Chase Resumes on a Stacked Saturday
With so many players unable to complete their second rounds, Saturday will begin early, with groups needing to make up for lost time before the third round can even get underway. For tournament organizers, it’s a logistical headache. For Scheffler, it’s a chance to rest, refocus, and possibly extend his lead even further.
Still, golf has a way of throwing curveballs. A six-shot lead might feel comfortable, but with two full rounds still to play — and unpredictable Texas weather on the horizon — anything can happen.
Yet if Scheffler maintains this form, the only real suspense may be how low he can go.
What Makes Scheffler So Consistent?
It’s easy to forget that Scheffler has only been a household name on the PGA Tour for a few short years. His rise to the top has been meteoric, but his game has matured like a veteran. What makes him so dangerous is his balance — he’s not just elite in one area. His driving, iron play, scrambling, and course management are all world-class.
In many ways, this week’s performance is a microcosm of his broader game: poised under pressure, unaffected by external factors (be it weather or leaderboard pressure), and relentlessly efficient.
And then there’s his temperament. Calm, courteous, and always grounded, Scheffler exudes the kind of quiet confidence that’s easy to overlook — until he posts back-to-back rounds in the low 60s.
A First Win of 2024 in Sight?
While Scheffler has racked up top-10s this season, the win column has remained empty so far — a minor anomaly for a player of his caliber. If he keeps up his current pace, the drought won’t last past Sunday.
And for fans in Texas, there could be no sweeter sight than seeing one of their own lift the trophy at TPC Craig Ranch.
The CJ Cup Byron Nelson may have been delayed, but it seems the inevitable might only have been postponed — and if Scottie Scheffler keeps playing like this, it could be a runaway weekend.
