Hayden Springer fondly recalls attending his hometown PGA Tour event, now known as the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, since he was 5 years old. He would arrive at TPC Craig Ranch with an empty hat on practice round days and leave with it covered in autographs from pros, thanks to some encouragement from his dad.
During his youth, the tournament was a significant part of Springer’s life. He attended for several years in a row, eventually volunteering with his high school golf team from Byron Nelson High School. This week, at 27 years old, Springer is competing in the tournament for the first time as a rookie on the Tour.
Reflecting on the impact of the tournament on his career aspirations, Springer mentioned interacting with players like Tim Herron and observing major winners like Sergio Garcia and Vijay Singh. These experiences helped fuel his dream of playing professional golf at the highest level.
Springer’s journey to the PGA Tour included personal tragedy and professional triumph. After the loss of his daughter in November, he found success on the PGA Tour Canada circuit, securing a spot in the final stage of PGA Tour Q-School where he earned his card after finishing fifth.
Springer, now a rookie on the PGA Tour, has shown promising results, making five cuts in nine starts and ranking 127th in the FedEx Cup standings. His recent performance at the Puerto Rico Open, where he finished T-3, highlighted his strong iron play and potential on the Tour.
This week, as a proud alum of Byron Nelson High School, Springer will have a supportive crowd cheering him on at TPC Craig Ranch. He looks forward to the opportunity to compete in an event that holds special significance from his youth.
It’s a unique full-circle moment for Springer, who once treasured attending the tournament as a young fan and is now living out his dream of competing on the PGA Tour.
