The CJ Cup Byron Nelson started off with criticism for the course from the insiders, then the suspicious withdrawal of Sungjae Im and Will Zalatoris made matters worse. The fans started to worry about the event, but as the event teed off, everything started to fall into place. The first round had a low score added to the adrenaline-filled expectation of the event. Scottie Scheffler, the Dallas native, showcased a great round of 61 to lead the way from the front. Despite the delay due to adverse weather, the golfer continued in the second round and recorded a round of 63. He, with his substantial performance, not just kept a strong lead but also set the record low after 36 holes.

Well, with his low-scoring performance, the pressure and the cut line for other golfers have come down substantially. After the two low-scoring rounds, the cut line came down to under par five, which affected the chance of many golfers to participate on the weekend. Last year, Jordan Spieth, Kevin Kisner were two of the few notable names in this list. Surprisingly, in 2025, here are those golfers who had high odds of winning at the $9.9 million event.

5 names who failed to make the cut

Taylor Pendrith

The name that will miss the weekend action is Taylor Pendrith. The Canadian professional missing the cut came as a surprise, as last year, he was the one who lifted the CJ Cup Byron Nelson’s trophy. The golfer who joined the PGA Tour in the 2020-21 season has been close to a victory, but his debut win came at the 2024 edition of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.

In his thrilling 2024 victory at the Byron Nelson, Taylor Pendrith bounced back from a nagging shoulder injury that had hampered his game earlier in the season. Calling the win “unbelievable,” he said the hard-fought recovery gave him a huge shot of confidence just when he needed it most. Now, with the 2025 edition, it wasn’t expected from him.

The 33-year-old, after recording a round of 67 with four birdies, was in a strong spot to recover and stay in contention. But after his front nine in the second round, which had only one birdie, the pressure started to build. Further, in the latter half, he carded two bogeys, which made the situation even worse as he recorded a round of 71. Even with a birdie on the 18th hole, the golfer failed to make the cut by just a stroke difference.

Tom Kim

The 22-year-old South Korean golfer has been on the likes of future top names. Earlier this season, he was seen sharing the course with Tiger Woods and having some great conversation during TGL. But with his performance at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, the learning hasn’t been enough, it seems. Tom Kim was among the top names who could stay in the contention for the event, but with his first round of 72, the story turned out on a different side. He scored 5 bogeys and 4 birdies to record an even par score.

Even though the golfer attempted to make the cut with his round of 66, having 7 birdies, two bogeys affected his chances for the weekend. With just one stroke short, CJ Cup Byron Nelson becomes the fourth event of the season so far where Kim missed the cut.

Justin Lower

The American professional, Justin Lower, secured his PGA Tour card on the final hole at the Korn Ferry Tour 2021-22 season. Well, the way he saved his card was a feat for a lifetime, but after that, there hasn’t been any such recognizable moment for the golfer. Especially for 2025, as he missed 7 cuts this season. Even though his performance seemed to stay in the winner circle with both under-par rounds, his double bogey on the 13th hole in the second round made the difference. With rounds of 68 and 70, the golfer felt short with just a stroke to enter the weekend saga of the tournament.

Mackenzie Hughes

Coming with two great finishes, Mackenzie Hughes was among the most unexpected names. The American had a 10th place at the Texas Children’s Houston Open and a T3 at the RBC Heritage. But unfortunately, despite the form peaking, the golfer struggled in the second round, leading to an early exit from the tournament. After shooting a bogey-free first round of 65 with 6 birdies, the golfer was just four strokes behind the leader. But with the bogey start in the second round, the rhythm broke and led him to a struggling sub-par round. He recorded a round of 73 with three birdies, three bogeys, and a double bogey, placing him one stroke below the cut line.

Ben Griffin

After his first PGA Tour win at the Zurich Classic, beating the in-form Rory McIlroy and team, Ben Griffin was expected to be at the top of his game. The golfer continued his form with two consistent under-par rounds, but guess what, it wasn’t enough to make the cut. After his first round of 69, Griffin recorded the same in the second. But with the low-scoring rounds, he fell short of continuing for the weekend by just a stroke.

With the top seed missing the weekend action, the disappointment is immense, but what has come as a certainty is adrenaline-filled weekend rounds at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. After the 5 shocking names from the roster, who do you think will be the one taking the trophy this year? Will Scottie Scheffler continue his record run over the weekend? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.