<p>Scottie Scheffler</p>
Jordan Spieth is inspired by Rory McIlroy’s Masters win to try and complete the career Grand Slam at the PGA but admits he’s unsure if he can keep up with a rampant Scottie Scheffler.
As Spieth closed with a nine-under 62 to finish fourth in the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in Dallas on 19-under, Scheffler shot 63 to claim his first win of the season by eight shots on 31-under-par from South Africa’s Erik van Rooyen (63).
Scheffler produced an incredible performance, matching Justin Thomas and Ludvig Aberg with the lowest 72-hole aggregate (253) in PGA Tour history.
“I played some good golf,” Scheffler said after a bogey-par finish denied him the record aggregate.
“I kept myself in position most of the week, and Erik played a really good round today. Put a lot of pressure on the front nine, then I did a good job of responding and kept him at bay, and I played some nice golf this week.”
Just seven of the top 50 in the world were in action in Dallas, but Scheffler faces a mouth-watering warm-up for the PGA Championship when he joins McIlroy and the rest of the world’s top players in the Truist Championship, which is a Signaure Event, in Philadelphia this week.
<img alt="" height="4054" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52780078e4b0782c048f31cb/1746439168093-8ZPLD7D141HXR9Q08YVC/25CC2_8140-1.jpg?format=1000w" width="6081" />
<p>Masters champion Jordan Spieth of the United States plays a stroke from the No. 2 tee during the third round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, Saturday, April 12, 2025.</p>
Spieth (31) will also be there before he be makes his ninth attempt to complete the career Grand Slam in next week’s PGA Championship at Quail Hollow.
After watching McIlroy end his nearly 11-year wait for his fifth major win at Augusta, Spieth admitted he is inspired to try and kill two birds with one stone in Charlotte after watching McIlroy win the Masters to become just the sixth player to complete the career Grand Slam.
“Maybe,” Spieth said of his hopes of joining McIlroy in that exclusive club by ending an eight-year wait for his fourth major win.
“Not only did (Rory) complete it, but the time it took to complete it.
“And then, you know, it was obviously a very challenging week for him. It was harder than anybody, maybe ever, trying to win a Masters, and being that far from his most recent major as well. And then to go do it. I mean, it was very inspiring.
“Quail Hollow is a Bermuda golf course, which I love. I grew up on Bermuda. You’ve got to play really fast greens. And you know, my ball striking is coming around at a really nice time.
“I feel like I've just been progressing each week since the (wrist) surgery. And hopefully I can have a good week next week and maybe go to the PGA and see if I can keep up with this guy (Scheffler). But that's been hard to do.”
World number one Scheffler will be a major rival at Quail Hollow.
He went into the final round at TPC Craig Ranch leading by eight strokes on 23-under and followed an early birdie at the second with a bogey at the third to see his lead reduced to six shots.
But he reeled off four birdies in a row from the fourth, then eagled the ninth to turn in 30 strokes and lead by eight strokes from Van Rooyen on 29-under.
He then birdied the 11th. 14th and 15th to get to 32-under and needed three pars for the record aggregate.
While he bogeyed the short 17th, he had a chance to get up and down from greenside sand for a closing birdie to set the new record aggregate but missed from eight feet.
He was still thrilled to win an event in which he had made his PGA Tour debut as an amateur.
“It's hard to put into words,” said Scheffler, who gained an incredible 23.104 strokes on the field en route to his 14th PGA Tour win.
“But I got my first chance to play a professional event here in 2014, and I am very thankful for that. I learned a lot that week, and I was very inspired to come out here and try to make a living doing this game, and you know, very fortunate to be in this position.”
Article Link: Scheffler roars to eight-shot Dallas win as Spieth draws Grand Slam inspiration from McIlroy - News - Irish Golf Desk