Phil Mickelson admits DEFEAT as Scottie Scheffler wins 2025 CJ CUP Byron Nelson

Scottie Scheffler claimed his first PGA Tour win of the 2025 season, his 14th overall, by winning the CJ CUP Byron Nelson with a record low score.

Phil Mickelson admits DEFEAT as Scottie Scheffler wins 2025 CJ CUP Byron Nelson

Scottie Scheffler and Phil Mickelson (Image via Imago)

On Sunday, Scottie Scheffler claimed his 1st PGA Tour win of the 2025 season. The World No.1 went wire-to-wire in his hometown state of Texas and won the CJ CUP Byron Nelson, an event where he made his PGA Tour debut in 2014. Following his win, Phil Mickelson admitted defeat on social media.

Scheffler had an amazing 2024, where he won 9 times. His wins included winning the gold medal at the Olympics in Paris, claiming his 2nd green jacket at the Masters in 3 years, and winning both the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship in back-to-back weeks.

He though, had a slow start compared to his standards. This was largely due to the wrist injury he suffered while celebrating Christmas with his family.

During the weather delay at The Players Championship, 6-time major champion Phil Mickelson dropped a bold take on X. The “Lefty” claimed that Scheffler would not win a PGA Tour event until the 2025 Ryder Cup.

Mickelson’s claim has now been squashed following Scheffler’s win at the TPC Craig Ranch. After his win, Mickelson was reminded of this take by former Masters Champion Trevor Immelman, who at that time claimed that he would keep this “receipt” until Scheffler wins again.

While seemingly admitting defeat on X, the LIV Golfer praised Scheffler for his win and even dropped two thumbs-up emojis.

So I might of been off on that one Congrats to Scottie on a great performance

Phil Mickelson on X

With the win on Sunday, Scheffler also tied the lowest PGA Tour scoring record. His score of 31-under-253 is the lowest 72-hole score on the PGA Tour. In the end, he finished 8 shots ahead of runner-up Erik van Rooyen, who came 2nd with a 23-under par score for the tournament.

3-time major champion admits being inspired by Scottie Scheffler following 2025 CJ CUP Byron Nelson

Given the way he performed last year, it was only a matter of time before Scottie Scheffler returned to the winners circle again. The 28-year-old dominated the CJ Cup Byron Nelson from the start to and end and walked away with the title. A 3-time major champion later admitted that he was inspired by what Scheffler had been doing.

Scottie Scheffler
Scottie Scheffler (Image via X/@PGATOUR)

Scheffler fired scores of 61, 63, 66, and 63 to go wire-to-wire in his hometown event. He though, was not the only Texan golfer in this event.

3-time major champion Jordan Spieth also competed in his native event. The former World No.1 finished 4th in this tournament, with a score of 19-under par after 4 rounds.

While speaking with the reporters after the tournament, Spieth also expressed that Scheffler is now ‘definitely‘ better than he was at one point.

What he’s doing is very inspiring, what he’s been doing is inspiring given it wasn’t that long ago I was definitely better than him, and now I’m definitely not right now and I hate admitting that about anybody.

Jordan Spieth said

The 2015 Masters Champion also added that he is happy when Scheffler wins any event. For a long time, Scheffler had been compared with Spieth by several golf fans and experts.

Scottie Scheffler got emotional while recalling first PGA Tour start in 2014

Scottie Scheffler torched the playing field at the 2025 CJ CUP Byron Nelson en route to winning the tournament. His 8-shot win is the biggest margin of victory in 80 years of this event. Following his win, he was left a bit emotional as he recalled his first PGA Tour start in 2014.

Scottie Scheffler
Scottie Scheffler (Image via Imago)

11 years ago, Scheffler made his debut on the PGA Tour in this event. The then 17-year-old Scheffler went on to make the cut and finished T22 in his first start. Fast forward to 2025, the now 2-time major champion lifted the trophy where it all started for him.

While speaking with Amanda Balionis of CBS Sports, the golfer was left emotional and choked a little bit. He called this win a “special” moment.

This tournament means a lot to me. My first start as a pro, 11 years ago. I had my sister caddy for me, she’s back there too. So, you know, it’s a, I mean, it feels like a lifetime of hard work and sacrifice for little moments like these and they’re pretty special.

Scottie Scheffler said

Up next for the PGA Tour is the Truist Championship. If Scheffler does not play in that event, then his next start will be at the 2025 PGA Championship at the Quail Hollow course in North Carolina.

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