Joe Champion
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With some huge events on the horizon, the CJ Cup Byron Nelson marks a quiet week in the PGA Tour calendar, although Jordan Spieth, who goes in search of form in his home state of Texas, does provide some star quality. With the Signature Wells Fargo Championship and the US PGA Championship coming up over the next fortnight, most of the PGA Tour’s best players have opted to swerve the Byron Nelson, which takes place for the 4th straight year at TPC Craig Ranch.
Jordan Spieth, playing out of duty to the event which handed him his debut in 2010, is the favorite at +1600 with BetMGM. He has the ability to make those odds look generous come Sunday but his overall form makes the Texan hero an unappealing option. With Craig Ranch’s vast fairways taking pressure off the tee shot, it’s generally been sharp approach play that has made the difference at this venue.
CJ Cup Byron Nelson golf picks and predictions
Si Woo Kim (+1600)
Odds generally available at time of publishing.
Only Jason Day proved too strong for Si Woo Kim last season but the South Korean didn’t put a foot wrong in his final round, carding a Sunday 63 to lose by one shot, and there’s every chance he gains compensation this time around. Kim has quietly been enjoying a superb season, finishing in the top 30 in 9 of his 11 PGA Tour starts in 2024, and his ball-striking has been typically precise. If he putts as well as he did 12 months ago he looks a certain contender.
Adam Scott (+2500)
Odds available at BetMGM at time of publishing.
Adam Scott has Craig Ranch form figures of 32-8 and, like Kim, the veteran Aussie has been solid for most of this season with the exception of an Arnold Palmer missed cut. Scott finished 22nd at the Masters when last seen, striking his irons well, and he knows how to get the job done in Texas having won this event at a different venue in 2008.
Kyoung-Hoon Lee (+5000)
Odds generally available at time of publishing.
The first 2 Craig Ranch Byron Nelson titles went the way of Kyoung-Hoon Lee and, while the South Korean failed in a hat-trick bid last season, he looks overpriced this time around. Lee was 4th at the Cognizant Classic and 9th at the Valspar in March and he warmed up well when partnering Michael Kim to 11th place at the Zurich Classic.
Jake Knapp (+10000)
Odds available at BetMGM at time of publishing.
At bigger odds, back Jake Knapp to bounce back. The Mexico champion has cooled in recent weeks but he’s been competing in strong company and his sharp iron-play should be well suited to Craig Ranch.
