The PGA TOUR heads back to Texas this week for THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson, returning to TPC Craig Ranch after a major offseason renovation aimed at tightening up one of the TOUR’s most vulnerable scoring venues.
The tournament once again celebrates the legacy of legendary Texan Byron Nelson while also carrying a meaningful off-course focus, with Mental Health Awareness Month initiatives playing a prominent role throughout the week. On the course, though, attention quickly shifts toward hometown superstar Scottie Scheffler, who returns as defending champion after last year’s absurd eight-shot demolition job.
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PGA Tour THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson Betting Tips
TPC Craig Ranch, Thursday 7th - Sunday 10th May
The Field
Scheffler headlines the event as overwhelming favorite after tying the PGA TOUR’s all-time 72-hole scoring record here in 2025. The world No. 1 remains the standard in modern golf and returns to the event where he made his TOUR debut as a teenager back in 2014.
Among the challengers is local resident Si Woo Kim, who has quietly become one of the most reliable players on TOUR this season. The South Korean has made every cut in 2026 and already owns four top-five finishes, including a runner-up result at Craig Ranch in 2023.
Elsewhere, Jordan Spieth returns to familiar territory seeking another spark in his season, while Brooks Koepka enters looking to rebound from a disappointing PGA Championship. There’s also growing intrigue around players like Matti Schmid, Pierceson Coody and Michael Thorbjornsen as the younger generation continues pushing upward.
The Course
TPC Craig Ranch looks noticeably different this year following a $25 million redesign overseen by World Golf Hall of Famer Lanny Wadkins. The changes were made specifically to reduce the birdie-fest feel that had become common in recent editions.
Greens have been resurfaced and reshaped, bunkers repositioned and several holes lengthened to create more strategic decision-making throughout the layout. The TOUR clearly wanted to add more teeth after Scheffler’s record-equalling performance last season.
Even with the tougher setup, scoring should still be relatively low by TOUR standards. Players who combine elite approach play with aggressive scoring on the par 5s will continue to hold a major edge around Craig Ranch.
Top Picks
Si Woo Kim
The Dallas resident hasn’t missed a Byron Nelson since TPC Craig Ranch became host venue and came within a shot of a playoff here in 2023. His 2026 form has been excellent, with elite consistency across the board, and the renovated layout should only further reward his precision iron play and improved all-around game.
Brooks Koepka
The PGA Championship didn’t go to plan for Koepka, but there were still encouraging signs tee-to-green. Smaller greens at Craig Ranch should suit him far better than Aronimink did, allowing his iron game to become a bigger weapon again. He’s also posted top-20 finishes in five of his last six starts and feels close to another serious run.
Value Picks
Paul Peterson
The veteran left-hander has quietly pieced together some excellent golf lately after starting the year well down the pecking order. A T5 and T11 in limited PGA TOUR starts, plus another strong Korn Ferry result last week, suggest confidence is building quickly heading into Texas.
Matti Schmid
Schmid arrives riding enormous momentum after his breakthrough T4 at the PGA Championship. Fatigue is the obvious concern after such an emotionally draining week, but when the German gets rolling he tends to stay aggressive. His scoring ability makes him a dangerous sleeper if the putter stays warm.
