Jordan Spieth is one of the biggest names in the field this week at The CJ CUP Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch.
Of course, many will be expecting Scottie Scheffler to retain his title in Texas. The world number one won by eight shots after finishing the week at 31 under par last year.
Who will win the CJ Cup Byron Nelson this week? 🏆
Scheffler won by eight strokes last year… 🏌️
There were also positive signs from Jordan Spieth, with the three-time major champion finishing fourth – only his second top five of the year on the PGA Tour.
What Jordan Spieth said about Scottie Scheffler after The CJ CUP Byron Nelson last year
It was a significant result given that Spieth had made his return from his longstanding wrist injury a few months earlier. His supporters would have hoped that brighter times were just around the corner for the 32-year-old.
It was particularly encouraging to see Spieth post a 62 in the final round to fly up the leaderboard.
And when asked about Scheffler cruising to the title, Spieth insisted that his goal was to try and close the gap to the 29-year-old.
“What he’s been doing is inspiring given, I mean, it wasn’t that long ago I was definitely better than him, and now I’m definitely not right now,” he said.
“I hate admitting that about anybody, but I just watched it those first two rounds, and like I’ve got to get better. It’s very inspiring.
“It’s this event, but it could be anywhere. I’m not jealous of him winning this event over any other. I’m jealous of anyone that wins any week. I want to be the person there, and that’s my drive.
“When he does it, it’s nice because, one, I just played with him these two rounds, but I’m also playing with him at home. Well, I’ve got more of a gauge on exactly where I need to be when I’m getting to play a lot of golf with him.
“He certainly has earned this one. I don’t see it going anywhere but just fine for him coming down the stretch. I’m going to be super pumped, when Scottie wins, I’m happy. It doesn’t matter where it is. If I’m not going to win, I like when he wins.”
Jordan Spieth is still working to close the gap to Scottie Scheffler
Unfortunately, it does not feel as though the gap has closed.
Scheffler went on to win five more times before the turn of the year. And while he has not been at his very best in 2026, Scheffler did manage to kick off his season with a hugely impressive victory at The American Express.
He has still finished inside the top 10 six times this year, and went into the PGA Championship off the back of three successive runner-up finishes.
Spieth, meanwhile, will return to TPC Craig Ranch having not registered a top 10 this season.
He has been extremely close on a number of occasions. And he deserves a lot of credit for the way he seems to have become a more well-rounded player in the last couple of years.
But it does appear that Spieth goes into The CJ CUP Byron Nelson once again this year looking for the spark that is really going to ignite his season.
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