Scheffler claims biggest 54-hole lead since McIlroy at 2011 Open
Masters champion Scottie Scheffler of the United States plays a stroke from the No. 7 tee during the third round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, Saturday, April 12, 2025.
Scottie Scheffler was relieved to get finished in near darkness and card a five-under 66 to take a whopping eight-stroke lead into the final round of the CJ CUP Byron Nelson in Dallas.
The world number one (28) opted to finish in the Texas twilight rather than return to the course early today as he bids for his first win of 2025.
“I think even if finishing 18 would have cost me a shot, I think it would have saved me a shot tomorrow based on energy, not having to come out here early and wait five hours or so to tee off,” Scheffler said at TPC Craig Ranch.
“Once they gave us the go-ahead to finish, I was definitely very anxious to finish.”
The Dallas resident began the day with a six shot lead and while he made two bogeys in round three, he made his seventh birdie of the day at the 18th to lead the weather-delayed event by eight strokes from Adam Schenk, Ricky Castillo and South Africa’s Erik van Rooyen on 23-under par.
“It was good golf,” said Scheffler, whose eight-shot lead is the biggest on tour since Rory McIlroy converted an eight-shot 54-hole lead into his first Major win at the 2011 US Open.
“I did a good job getting it around today. “I definitely wasn't as sharp as I was the last two days, but overall I posted a pretty good score.
“Over a 72-hole tournament you're going to have days, or typically at least one day where your swing's not firing on all cylinders like it was the first two days.
“It's all about how you battle through that. Today I did a good job and hopefully tomorrow I'll swing a little better.”
Scheffler wondered if they would finish the third round when he got to the third tee and found two groups waiting.
“I knew they were going to do everything they could to get us around,” he said. “Nobody wants to come back in the morning. We were fortunate to get it done.”
As for his closing birdie in the dark, he admitted: “I couldn't see very well, but I finished in the dark many times growing up. It's not that big of a deal.”
If he completes the job today and claims his 14th PGA Tour win, Scheffler will become the first Dallas resident to win since Scott Verplank in 2007.
“It would mean a lot,” said Scheffler, who could become the first wire-to-wire winner of the event since Tom Watson in 1980.
“This tournament has been good to me over the years. It was my first professional start in 2014. They gave me a spot when I was in high school. Had a great week.
“This tournament means a lot to me. I grew up coming out here to watch.
“Yeah, tomorrow should be a fun day and a good opportunity for me to go out and have a good round and hopefully win a tournament.”
