MCKINNEY, TEXAS — The CJ Cup Byron Nelson began Thursday at the newly renovated TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas, with a field of 145 players competing for a $10.3 million purse. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler entered the tournament seeking to defend his 2025 title on home turf in Texas.

Scheffler won last year's edition of the event and arrived at TPC Craig Ranch atop the men's golf world ranking. The course underwent renovations prior to hosting the 2026 tournament.

Brooks Koepka and Si Woo Kim were among the 145 players in the field. Round 1 tee times were scheduled between 8 a.m. and 3:22 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, May 21.

Golf Channel's broadcast schedule for the opening round began with Golf Central Pregame from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Coverage of Round 1 followed from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time, with Golf Central Postgame airing from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time.

Scheffler, a Texas native, is the top-ranked men's golfer in the world and is the reigning champion of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. The $10.3 million purse makes the 2026 edition one of the more lucrative stops on the PGA Tour schedule. Koepka and Kim join a field of 145 players at TPC Craig Ranch, which completed renovations ahead of this week's tournament. The first groups teed off at 8 a.m. Eastern Time, with the final tee times extending to 3:22 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday.