Scottie Scheffler silences Phil Mickelson as LIV Golf star is proved wrong in huge way.
Scottie Scheffler claimed his first PGA Tour title of 2025 with a dominant eight-shot victory at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, setting a tournament record with a remarkable 31-under-par total.
Scottie Scheffler handed Phil Mickelson a stark reminder of why he’s perched at the top of the world rankings by clinching the CJ Cup Byron Nelson title. Scheffler celebrated his first PGA Tour win of 2025 on Sunday, finishing an impressive 31-under-par and leaving the competition in the dust with an eight-shot lead.
Erik van Rooyen had to settle for second place on 23-under-par, while Jordan Spieth – eyeing the career Grand Slam at the upcoming PGA Championship – dazzled with a career-best round of 62 on Sunday. After a relatively subdued year, Scheffler will be thrilled to have won at TPC Craig Ranch, especially after Mickelson’s bold claim that he wouldn’t bag another PGA Tour win before September.
The 28-year old-was the man to beat in 2024, winning nine titles including the Masters, Players, Olympics, and Tour Championship. Due to Scheffler’s quiet start to 2025, some began to doubt his status as the world’s premier golfer – particularly with Rory McIlroy’s blistering beginning to the year and claiming victories at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Players, and Masters.
Mickelson, who stirred the pot with some curiously timed tweets ahead of LIV Golf’s event in South Korea, was one of those casting aspersions on Scheffler’s ranking – touting his LIV Golf colleague Joaquin Niemann as the true No. 1 player, reports the Mirror US.
“Top 5? Try #1,” Mickelson wrote on X back in March, before separately adding: “Here’s a hot take. Does Scottie win in 2025 before the Ryder Cup? I don’t think so.”
Since the start of 2024, Niemann has pocketed five LIV tournament wins but has found his Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) tumble to 83 due to the organisation not awarding ranking points for LIV competitions. The 26-year-old sensation from Chile, who boasts as many professional triumphs as Scheffler (18), is acknowledged as one of the top players on the global stage.
Still, it’s Scheffler who has delivered an unmatched performance over the past year and a half. His recent victory at TPC Craig Ranch serves as a potent showcase of his abilities right before the PGA Championship kicks off at Quail Hollow in North Carolina, barely 11 days away.
Eager for a PGA Championship victory, Scheffler is pushing to move closer to completing his own career Grand Slam. Already a two-time Masters champion, he has three more majors ahead this year.
Beyond the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open will take place at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania in June, followed by The Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland in July. Filled with emotion, Scheffler celebrated his win on Sunday.
The tournament carries extra meaning, as it honors Byron Nelson, the legendary golfer who won five majors before his death in 2006, and it’s held near Scheffler’s hometown of Dallas, Texas. In a heartfelt interview with CBS Sports’ Amanda Balionis after his win, Scheffler shared: “This tournament is very meaningful to me.
“It was my first event as a pro 11 years ago, with my sister on the bag—she’s here again today. It feels like a lifetime of dedication and sacrifice for moments like these, and they’re truly special.”
