Taylor Moore shoots 62, snatches first-round lead from Brooks Koepka at Byron Nelson

TPC Craig Ranch was supposed to be more sturdy than this in the redesign … or so we thought.

Scottie Scheffler’s winning 31 under drew some attention a year ago. No way it could be broken again in 2026, right? Never say never — who knows what can happen over the next 54 holes.

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Taylor Moore is the first-round leader after a bogey-free 9-under 62 that was capped off with a brilliant birdie putt on the par-5 ninth hole. He booted Brooks Koepka from the top spot on the CJ Cup Byron Nelson leaderboard.

“I don’t think after the first day,” Moore said when asked if having a lead entering Friday changed his mindset at all. “If I was tied for the lead or one shot lead or whatever, ton of golf left to play, especially here. Got to stay with it.”

Koepka, a five-time major winner with a new putter this week 30 miles north of Dallas, looked comfortable as first-round leader for several hours. That was until Moore surged late, along with Jesper Svensson during what became an eagle-friendly environment.

Svensson, who made four consecutive birdies on his front nine, was able to notch a 63 and tie Koepka for second entering Friday’s second round.

THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson – Rd 2

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The second round of THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson is underway at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas.

Koepka was bogey-free in his first 18 holes at the redesigned course. A dozen players also went without any mistakes. In addition to Moore and Koepka, those names include:

2. Michael Thorbjornsen (64)

7. Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen (66)

As for all those eagles, the course gave way to a season-high 24 first-round eagles, including from Lanto Griffin, who finished his round with a ‘3’ on the same ninth hole that Moore would go on to birdie 20 minutes later.