It’s Scottie Scheffler versus the field when the newly minted PGA Championship winner tees it up at the Charles Schwab Challenge on Thursday at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas.
The Dallas native owned just one PGA Tour title in Texas before winning the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in McKinney, Texas, three weeks ago, tying a tour record at 31-under-par 253.
Scheffler’s next start was the PGA Championship at Charlotte’s Quail Hollow Club, where he pulled away from the pack late Saturday and protected his lead Sunday to clinch his third major title.
Now seeking his third win in as many tournaments, the World No. 1 is playing at the height of his game and now has a home-field advantage.
“I think anytime I can sleep in my own bed and play a golf tournament, it’s a nice thing,” Scheffler said. “It’s nice to be able to be here at home. We always get great support here in the Metroplex, and it’s always fun coming back here to play Colonial.”
Scheffler didn’t consider dropping out of the Charles Schwab Challenge after lifting the Wanamaker Trophy mere days ago.
“I’m here for a reason, and that’s not to just play a couple of ceremonious rounds and then ride off in the sunset,” he said. “I’m here for a reason. That’s to compete.”
The field is not especially deep coming off a major championship week, with eight of the top 25 in the world rankings on the property. Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, England’s Tommy Fleetwood, Brian Harman and 2016 champion Jordan Spieth are the most notable names.
They’ll be playing a par-70, 7,289-yard track that was overhauled before the 2024 tournament. That renovation included the removal of some bunkers and relocation of several greens.
In 2024, Davis Riley earned a five-stroke win over Scheffler and Keegan Bradley at 14 under par, his score anchored by a second-round 64. It was Riley’s first non-team victory on tour.
Riley could be one to watch this week after he went 6-under at the PGA Championship to tie for second, his best career finish at a major.
“History has kind of repeated itself where I’ve kind of found my stride for some reason in this stretch,” Riley said. “Yeah, last week was a great confidence booster for me … being in the second-to-last group Sunday, having a chance to win and compete and try to win a major and everything that comes with that. I was super proud the way I handled it.”
Players in the field on sponsor exemptions include pro Blades Brown (who turned 18 on Wednesday), former Masters and U.S. Open low amateur Neal Shipley and college star David Ford.
A North Carolina senior, Ford tops the PGA Tour University standings and is on the verge of earning full status on the PGA Tour straight out of college. Swedish star Ludvig Aberg was the first player to secure his tour card through the university pathway.
“I think once those are finalized, I hope today, I’ll have more official information,” Ford said Wednesday. “But, yeah, I’m pumped to be out on the road and playing a bunch of pro events. I’ve had a chance to glance at the schedule ahead. A ton of great events. A ton of great spots to travel to, so I’m thrilled.”
–Field Level Media
