'I don't remember saying any of that stuff...' Scottie Scheffler fires ominous warning to PGA rivals

Scottie Scheffler built up a commanding lead at The CJ Cup Byron Nelson on Friday and then fired an ominious warning to the rest of his rivals ahead of the PGA Championship in two weeks' time. 

Scheffler, 28, has opened with stunning rounds of 61 and 63 to vault into a commanding six-shot lead on 18-under par thru 36 holes at TPC Craig Ranch.

The World No.1, who won nine times around the world in 2024, has now set up a golden chance to capture his first PGA Tour title of the season. 

Scheffler is looking to win his first-ever CJ Cup Byron Nelson, one of his most cherished tournaments on the PGA Tour schedule, and win for just the second time in his home state of Texas - something he last achieved when victorious at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play in 2022. 

Scottie Scheffler leads by six at The CJ Cup Byron Nelson

Scheffler found himself two shots ahead when he tucked away a 12-footer for eagle on the par-5 18th, his 9th hole of the second round, just before the hooter blew for a suspension of play due to lightning in the Dallas area.

Some six hours later when play eventually resumed, Scheffler returned and continued to keep his foot on the gas with six birdies to the house.

Although half the field has still yet to complete the second round, the bookmakers think it's already over with Scheffler's odds slashed to 1/10. 

Scottie Scheffler admits he's 'trending in the right direction' ahead of the US PGA

After the second round, a reporter told Scheffler that yesterday he was saying he felt as though he was ready to win again on the PGA Tour. 

While Scheffler doesn't quite remember saying those words exactly, he does feel like his game is trending in the right direction.

At a perfect time too, with golf's second major just around the corner. 

"I don't really remember saying any of that stuff, but yeah, I feel like my game's in a good spot," Scheffler replied, with a glint in his eye.

"I feel like I'm trending in the right direction. 

"I've had two really solid days of golf, and looking forward to getting out tomorrow and trying to execute some more shots."

Scheffler had to miss the first four weeks of the PGA Tour season as a result of undergoing hand surgery. 

He required hand surgery after sustaining a puncture wound to his right hand while making homemade ravioli on Christmas Day.

Scheffler might not have yet won so far this season, but he has still played nicely with five top-10s in eight starts on the PGA Tour. 

You could argue he was nowhere near his A-game at The Masters last month but still managed to finish solo fourth. 

But for 36 holes so far in Dallas this week, everything appears to have come together again just like it did in 2024. 

"Yeah, I feel like my game has been trending in the right direction," continued Scheffler, who is narrowly the favourite ahead of Rory McIlroy for the PGA Championship from 15-18 May. 

"I had some good starts recently. I had a good start at the Masters, solid start, and then I had a chance here in Houston.

"Overall, I had a decent week in Hilton Head. I didn't have a great Sunday, but overall I played some pretty solid golf. 

"So I definitely feel like my game is trending in the right direction."

Scheffler is seeking a 14th career title on the PGA Tour this week and his first of the season.

He will then set his sights on the US PGA at Quail Hollow as he bids to etch his name on the famous Wanamaker Trophy for the first time in his career.

Scheffler has played in the last five PGA Championships, finishing inside the top 10 four times. 

The two-time Masters champion came closest to winning the US PGA in 2023 when finishing two shots behind Brooks Koepka in a tie for second with Viktor Hovland at Oak Hill. 

Scheffler has decided not to compete in next week's Truist Championship on the PGA Tour.

Despite it being a $20m Signature Event on the schedule, Scheffler is sticking to his process of taking the week off before a major to give himself the best possible shot of landing his major hat-trick. 

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