The second round of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson teed off Friday with preferred lies in effect. Jordan Spieth got off to a blistering start, making six straight birdies to take the early lead on Day 2. But for others, things did not go as well.
Before the start of his second round, Cameron Champ withdrew ahead of his Friday tee time. The PGA Tour announced the news without giving a reason for his exit.
Champ, a Texas A&M graduate, turned pro in 2017. The 30-year-old has played in 171 PGA Tour events, earned 13 top-10 finishes and won three times. He has collected nearly $10 million in career earnings, but his last victory came in 2021 and he has not added another title in the past four years.
He has played in only two events this year and missed the cut in both. His season was already off to a poor start, and this withdrawal adds another setback. He was added to the field as an alternate and shot a 3-over 74 on Thursday.
The PGA Tour’s revised eligibility structure has made retaining and reclaiming status significantly more difficult. Beginning this season, the number of fully exempt PGA Tour cards was reduced while advancement opportunities from developmental circuits became more competitive.
The Korn Ferry Tour remains the primary pathway back to full PGA Tour membership. He currently ranks 47th on the Korn Ferry Tour and is far away from earning a Tour membership.
Jordan Spieth Turns Friday Into a Sprint
GettyJordan Spieth speaks to the media at the PGA Championship.
Spieth gave the second round its most electric stretch. He made eight birdies in his first 15 holes and tied his career best with six straight birdies on his second nine.
That run put him in position to post one of his best rounds in more than a decade and kept his name near the top of a leaderboard that had already been moving fast at TPC Craig Ranch.
He has been searching for his first PGA Tour victory in more than four years. His last came in 2022 at the RBC Heritage.
Spieth has been working through swing changes and trying to stay patient while chasing the last piece of the career Grand Slam.
He said, “My game has been getting better and better,” and that the goal is still to give himself “a chance.” Though he was unable to translate that into a dominating performance at Aronimink this past week, due to the fast-moving winds and the pin locations, he has had moments to shine.
If he manages to win this event, it will finally renew his confidence and end the trophy drought.
Scheffler Still Sets the Standard in Dallas
GettyScottie Scheffler poses with the winner’s trophy after the final round of THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson.
Scottie Scheffler remains the measuring stick at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. The Dallas native returned to defend his title after last year’s wire-to-wire victory, when he finished at 31-under 253 and tied the PGA Tour scoring record.
Scheffler said the renovated TPC Craig Ranch is “a more interesting test” because the greens have more slope and force players to think more carefully about positioning. That marks a significant change at a course long known for rewarding aggressive scoring.
However, despite the $25 million renovation, players recorded 25 eagles during the opening round, tying a PGA Tour record. The course still appears highly vulnerable to low scores.
PGA Tour Announces Unfortunate News on $10 Million Golfer