Brooks Koepka opened the CJ Cup Byron Nelson with a bogey‑free 63, shooting eight under to seize the clubhouse lead. The former world No.1 carded six birdies and an eagle, taking advantage of the 10th‑hole stretch to climb to four‑under through the front nine. His performance marks a striking return to the PGA Tour after four seasons on LIV Golf this year.

World No.1 Scottie Scheffler, defending champion and Texas resident, posted a five‑under 66, keeping him within striking distance. Scheffler birdied the 12th and 13th holes and finished the round three under on his final five holes, including a closing birdie. He trails Koepka by a single stroke as a field of five players sits at seven under.

Koepka’s 63 also puts him one shot ahead of Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo, South Korea’s Si Woo Kim, Germany’s Stephan Jaeger and Americans Keith Mitchell and Michael Thorbjornsen, all tied at seven under. The leaderboard shift adds pressure to the early stages of a tournament that follows Aaron Rai’s PGA Championship triumph, and sets up a potential showdown between two former major winners.