A crazy 24 hours leaves this former PGA Tour winner hoping he's ready to turn his career back around

Less than 24 hours after learning he was a late addition to the field at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson—just his fourth start on the PGA Tour in 2025—Cameron Champ signed for an opening-round 64 at TPC Craig Ranch, leaving himself one shot off the early Day 1 lead. After walking out of the scoring area, the 29-year-old was in good spirits, if still unclear exactly what just happened.

“It's definitely been an interesting two days, that's for sure,” he said.

It was around 2 p.m. Wednesday when Champ got word from the PGA Tour that Gary Woodland had withdrawn from the tournament and that Champ, at his home outside Houston, was next on the alternate list. After hustling to get his gear together, he made the 3½-hour drive to Dallas, arriving around 9 p.m. with an 8:34 a.m. Thursday tee time awaiting.

As it turns out, there wasn’t enough time for Champ to get his guard up, which might have been the case had he had more time to ponder his situation. Champ has only partial status on tour as a past champion, nearly four years removed from the third of his three victories, the 2021 3M Open. He lost his full card a year ago when he made just seven cuts in 26 starts, finishing 179th on the FedEx Cup points list.

He's not in much better shape this year, a T-16 finish at the Puerto Rico Open in March the only made cut in his three previous starts, leaving him tied for 190th on this year’s points list.

The frustrating thing, according to Champ, is that he feels like he’s close to a much-needed breakthrough. He missed the cut by two shots at Puntacana and by five with teammate Lanto Griffin at Zurich. A closing 64 at Puerto Rico got him his best finish since last July.

“Yeah, you know, even considering last year, how many cuts I missed by one, it was like 11 or 12 or something, I haven't really been playing that bad. It's been a couple holes here or there that just alters my round.”

A last-minute spot into the Byron Nelson field came with the ability to freewheel things a bit more. “Coming into this week in general I had no expectations, so I think in general that's how I need to be regardless.”

That’s easier said than done. Should he remain in contention the next few days, expectations will increase. A win of course would get him his tour card back. But a top finish would also be a means to that end, allowing him to sniff the top 100 of the FedEx Cup points list and possible playing privileges in 2026.

“Just come out and play my game,” Champ said. “Whatever I shoot, I shoot. Yeah, like I said, I was very happy with today.”

And now he hopes today can last into Sunday.