The 2025 CJ CUP Byron Nelson, a key event on the PGA Tour calendar with a prize pool of $9.9 million, is currently being held at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas. While the tournament initially faced concerns about the absence of major stars, the situation has worsened due to severe weather conditions. Persistent rain and thunderstorms have caused multiple delays and interruptions to the schedule.
Although world number one Scottie Scheffler remains in the lineup, the competition has seen an unusual number of withdrawals, reshaping the tournament landscape. Big names like Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim, and defending champion Taylor Pendrith are still part of the field, but a wave of pre-tournament exits has sparked questions about the broader reasons behind player disengagement.
Matt Wallace (neck) is a WD from THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson.
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) May 2, 2025
Among the most notable withdrawals was Matt Wallace, who cited a neck injury as the reason for pulling out. He has a history of shoulder issues and previously took time off to recover from overuse injuries. Another major withdrawal came from Will Zalatoris, who did not offer a specific reason for exiting. He has been cautious with his playing schedule following back surgery in 2023. Zalatoris has been replaced by Nick Watney.
Other players who withdrew include Blades Brown, Joe Highsmith, Michael Kim, Nick Dunlap, Brandt Snedeker, Keith Mitchell, and Gary Woodland. The causes behind these withdrawals range from injury concerns to personal reasons and strategic rest ahead of the PGA Championship.
These dropouts have reshuffled the competitive dynamics of the event, opening up opportunities for less prominent players. The trend isn’t isolated to this tournament either. Similar decisions were made earlier this year by Jason Day, who exited The Players Championship due to illness, and Akshay Bhatia, who left the Farmers Insurance Open.
These instances suggest that many players are now prioritizing their health and long-term performance over short-term participation. Even as several stars withdraw, others are looking to capitalize. One such player is Scottie Scheffler, who is aiming to win this tournament for the first time. Scheffler’s history with the event is personal—he made his PGA Tour debut here at 17. Now 28, he’s hoping to use that experience and the support of the local crowd to his advantage.
Scheffler opened strong, shooting a remarkable 10-under-par 61 in the first round—his best performance in what has been a challenging season so far. Despite not yet securing a win in 2025, his consistent results, with five top-10 finishes in eight starts, suggest he’s on the cusp of a breakthrough. For Scheffler, the focus remains on maintaining strong form as he gears up for the upcoming PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. His performance in Texas could set the stage for a significant turning point in his season.