“The Starter” recaps the week gone by in golf. PGA Professional Brendon Elliott, a three-decade industry veteran, provides his insights for RG. This week, Elliott breaks down Scottie Scheffler matching the PGA TOUR scoring record at the Byron Nelson and Haeran Ryu going wire-to-wire for a redemptive victory in the LPGA’s return to Utah.
On a weekend when golf’s record books needed revision, Scottie Scheffler and Haeran Ryu delivered masterclasses in dominance from opposite corners of the country. While Scheffler matched historic scoring marks in Texas, Ryu conquered Utah with surgical precision, giving golf enthusiasts a dual display of excellence that transcended expectations.
PGA TOUR: The Hometown Hero Finds His Groove
There’s something magical about playing in your backyard, and Scottie Scheffler proved that emphatically at THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson. The world’s top-ranked player didn’t just win – he demolished the field with a performance that matched the PGA TOUR’s all-time 72-hole scoring record.
With a scorecard that defied conventional physics, Scheffler’s 31-under par (253) performance equaled the all-time PGA TOUR scoring benchmark previously achieved by only Justin Thomas and Ludvig Åberg. The Dallas native didn’t just win—he rendered the competition mere spectators in an eight-shot demolition that left fellow pros simultaneously impressed and demoralized.
“What he’s doing is inspiring,” admitted fellow Dallas-area native Jordan Spieth, who finished fourth. “I mean, it wasn’t that long ago I was definitely better than him, and now I’m definitely not right now. I hate admitting that about anybody.”
Scheffler’s dominance was on full display Sunday when he fired a closing 63, including a front-nine 30 highlighted by an eagle at the par-5 ninth. The victory marked his first of 2025, a surprisingly “late” start for a player who had amassed 10 wins before May in the previous three years combined.
Erik van Rooyen, who matched Scheffler’s Sunday 63 to finish second at 23-under, summed up what it’s like playing alongside the game’s best: “You’re almost flabbergasted in a way… There’s nothing you can do. Scottie was practically flawless, which is kind of what you expect from the world number one.”
The win clearly meant something special to Scheffler, who grew emotional during his victory speech. “My family was all able to be here, and it was just really, really special memories,” he said. “We have a lot of great memories as kids coming to watch this tournament. I just dreamed to be able to play in it, and it’s more of a dream to be able to win it.”
The McIlroy Factor
While Scheffler dominated in Texas, the elephant in the room remains Rory McIlroy’s blistering start to 2025. With three wins already, including THE PLAYERS and the Masters (completing his career Grand Slam), McIlroy has been the story of the year.
Scheffler acknowledged the Northern Irishman’s excellence while making it clear he’s ready for the challenge ahead.
“I think that’s what’s great about our game,” Scheffler said.
“This week, I was the best player. I have the week off, and we’ll see the week after who is the best player at the PGA. Rory has been playing some tremendous golf this year.”
He added with competitive fire: “I think any time you’re getting beat, you’re always fired up just a little bit extra to go out and practice.”
With the PGA Championship looming, golf fans are salivating at the prospect of these two titans going head-to-head in the year’s second major.
LPGA Tour: Ryu Rules in Utah
While the men’s game featured Scheffler’s record-tying performance, the LPGA Tour saw its own display of wire-to-wire dominance as Haeran Ryu captured the inaugural Black Desert Championship in Ivins, Utah.
Ryu authored her own redemption story with a closing 8-under 64 that transformed a tight contest into a five-shot procession. Just seven days removed from her Chevron Championship collapse—where a final-round 76 dashed her major dreams—the South Korean star crafted the perfect response, becoming just the second player to maintain pole position from Thursday through Sunday on the LPGA Tour this season.
This time, there would be no Sunday collapse. Despite a tight battle on the front nine with Germany’s Esther Henseleit, Ryu pulled away with a flawless back nine highlighted by an 8-foot eagle putt on the 13th hole that essentially sealed the deal.
“Incredible day,” said Ryu, who has now won in each of the past seven years dating back to her first victory as an 18-year-old on the Korea LPGA.
Henseleit, who got within one shot after going out in 31, cooled on the back nine and finished tied for second with Ruoning Yin, who made a valiant charge with four straight birdies starting at the 11th before a costly double bogey on 16.
The tournament marked the LPGA Tour’s return to Utah after a 61-year absence and continued the trend of parity on the women’s circuit – Ryu became the 10th different winner in 10 events this season.
Looking Ahead
The chess pieces are now perfectly arranged for the year’s next major drama. As Scheffler rediscovers his winning DNA at precisely the right moment, McIlroy’s career renaissance threatens to overshadow even the world number one’s brilliance. Their inevitable collision course at the PGA Championship could deliver a generational duel.
Meanwhile, the LPGA’s remarkable parity—ten trophies claimed by ten different hands this season—continues to underline women’s golf’s competitive evolution.
The calendar may say spring, but golf’s temperature is already reaching summer boiling point. This weekend’s twin displays of excellence have set the bar astronomically high for what promises to be a season defined by historic achievements and riveting rivalries.
