Jordan Spieth among PGA Tour stars to miss cut at CJ Cup Byron Nelson

McKINNEY, Texas – Among Byron Nelson’s claims to fame was his remarkable consistency.  

In addition to winning a record 11 straight tournaments, Nelson also recorded 113 consecutive made cuts, a figure second only to Tiger Woods, who holds the record – likely never to be broken – of 142.

But Nelson’s streak is arguably more impressive as in Nelson’s day only the top 20 in a tournament were paid. So, Nelson finishing in the top 20 in 113 consecutive starts is another one of those marks that never will be touched.

The pros at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson can only marvel at Nelson’s consistency and strive to be like the great gentleman rancher. At TPC Craig Ranch, the annual birdie-fest is in full swing. Last year, the course yielded 2,021 birdies, the third most birdies of any course on Tour last season. With soft conditions and preferred lies in effect, Jake Knapp has raced to a 14-under 128 total through 36 holes to grab the lead. It took an aggregate of 6-under 136 to make the cut and earn a weekend tee time. Here’s a look at some of the notable players who left early from Big D.

Jordan Spieth of the United States reacts to a shot on the 11th hole during the second round of THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch on May 03, 2024 in McKinney, Texas. (Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images)

Spieth’s pedestrian season continued with a missed cut at his hometown event, just the second time in 12 appearances at the Nelson that he’s head home early.

Spieth said he wanted to hit the reset button this week and it worked for two holes – he began on Thursday with birdies on the first two holes. He ended up shooting 68 and was straddling the cutline for much of Friday. He found the water at the par-5 ninth and made bogey but bounced back with birdies at Nos. 10 and 14 to get to 5 under. But he made bogey at 16 and finished with pars to post 70 and miss the cut by two. It’s the fourth missed cut in his last five starts at events with a 36-hole cut. In other words, not the confidence boost he was looking forward to with the PGA Championship and his latest bid to complete the career Grand Slam just two weeks away.

Spieth ranked first in the field in SG: Off the Tee on Friday but 152^nd in SG: Approach. Unfortunately he was 1 of 4 in scrambling and ranked T-139 in the category for the week (3 of 7).

Kevin Kisner of the United States plays his shot from the second tee during the second round of THE CJ…