{"id":38979,"date":"2026-05-19T14:15:07","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T18:15:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/?p=38979"},"modified":"2026-05-19T14:15:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T18:15:10","slug":"cj-cup-byron-nelson-predictions-and-best-bets-pga-golf-picks-may-21-24","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/golf\/cj-cup-byron-nelson-predictions-and-best-bets-pga-golf-picks-may-21-24\/","title":{"rendered":"CJ Cup Byron Nelson Predictions and Best Bets – PGA Golf Picks May 21-24"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

CJ Cup Byron Nelson Betting Preview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

CJ Cup Byron Nelson<\/strong> picks from WagerTalk golf handicapper Andy Lang<\/a> are available before golfers tee off from TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, TX<\/strong><\/strong>! Andy discusses his predictions, picks, who can trip you up, the course and more surrounding the CJ Cup Byron Nelson<\/strong><\/strong> starting May 14!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay on top of the latest Golf<\/a> updates direct from Las Vegas!<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

WagerTalk also offers Free Picks<\/a> all year long!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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CJ Cup Byron Nelson<\/th>CJ Cup Byron Nelson Betting Notes<\/th><\/tr>
When:<\/td>May 21-24<\/td><\/tr>
Where:<\/td>TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, TX<\/td><\/tr>
Defending Champ:<\/td>Scottie Scheffler<\/td><\/tr>
Current Favorite:<\/td>Scottie Scheffler (+168 at DraftKings<\/a>)<\/td><\/tr>
TV:<\/td>CBS, ESPN, ESPN+, Paramount+<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

CJ Cup Byron Nelson Course: TPC Craig Ranch<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson <\/strong>returns to TPC Craig Ranch <\/strong>in McKinney, Texas, a course\u00a0that has quickly developed a reputation as one of the most scoreable stops on the PGA Tour.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Originally designed by Tom Weiskopf <\/strong>with consultation from former PGA Tour player D.A.\u00a0Weibring<\/strong>, the layout winds through rolling terrain, mature trees, and the limestone-lined banks\u00a0 of Rowlett Creek, which comes into play throughout the round. Even with recent renovations,\u00a0 this remains a course where birdies and eagles are expected.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A major restoration led by Lanny Watkins <\/strong>has continued into 2026, bringing significant changes to the course. Yardage has been reduced from over 7,560 yards down to approximately\u00a07,385 yards<\/strong>, while remaining a par 71<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The biggest adjustment comes at the finish, where the former par-5 18th has been converted into a demanding 480-yard par-4<\/strong>, leaving the 12th hole\u00a0 as the only par-5 on the back nine<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

New 777 Bentgrass greens <\/strong>have been installed to better\u00a0handle the Texas heat, while Stadium Zoysia fairways and upgraded Bermudagrass rough should\u00a0create firmer, cleaner playing conditions.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the changes, TPC Craig Ranch still looks like a course where aggressive players can go\u00a0low. The front nine remains packed with scoring chances, featuring several short par-4s and reachable par-5s that invite attack-minded golf. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water hazards and tighter fairways add some\u00a0strategy, but unless the new greens dramatically increase difficulty, expect another week where\u00a0 players push deep into the 20-under-par range. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This remains a modern PGA Tour birdie fest\u00a0where elite iron play and hot putting can quickly separate contenders from the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CJ Cup Byron Nelson: Players That Can Trip You Up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pierceson Coody <\/strong>is getting far too much respect in the market this week. He missed the cut last\u00a0 week, and over his last 10 tournaments he\u2019s posted 3 missed cuts, 1 withdrawal, and zero Top 15 finishes<\/strong>. The short game is a major concern, with awful around-the-green numbers and only\u00a0average putting to bail him out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also finished just 25th here last year, so there\u2019s no elite course\u00a0 history to lean on. Being priced as the 6th-highest favorite feels completely disconnected from\u00a0reality.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jordan Spieth <\/strong>continues to be overpriced based on reputation more than results. He still doesn\u2019t have a Top 10 finish at this event, despite a solid showing last year, and the course setup is a bit\u00a0 different now. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If this turns into a putting contest, his +0.18 strokes gained putting <\/strong>this season\u00a0 doesn\u2019t exactly scream elite. More importantly, Spieth almost always has one loose round that\u00a0 knocks him out of contention. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To justify a Top 3 price, you need four complete rounds\u2014and\u00a0 that\u2019s tough to trust.\u00a0Keith Mitchell <\/strong>being listed as a Top 5 favorite makes very little sense given the recent form. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

His\u00a0putting is below average compared to this field, and his last four finishes are ugly: 65th, 55th,\u00a0 30th, and missed cut<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The course history doesn\u2019t help either, with finishes of 20th and 76th in his last two appearances. There\u2019s simply no combination of form, stats, or history that supports\u00a0 this number. Easy fade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CJ Cup Byron Nelson: DraftKings Darlings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Parry ($7,300) <\/strong>continues to be the DraftKings Darling of the season. He\u2019s made every cut\u00a0this year, consistently giving us weekend points and lineup stability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the stats don\u2019t jump\u00a0 off the page, he\u2019s already shown some upside with finishes of 31st and 8th in weaker-field,\u00a0lower-scoring events similar to this setup. At this price, getting four rounds with a chance at a\u00a0 Top 20 is more than enough value.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matthias Schmid ($7,500) <\/strong>might be one of the strangest profiles in the field, but the upside is\u00a0 undeniable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Missing the cut at Myrtle Beach and then finishing 4th at the PGA Championship\u00a0makes absolutely no sense\u2014but it shows the ceiling is there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the last three months, he ranks\u00a0 14th in the field in total strokes gained, and he\u2019s already posted finishes of 5th in Puerto Rico and\u00a09th at the Cognizant Classic. At this salary, the volatility is worth embracing for the upside.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blades Brown ($7,800) <\/strong>is a rising talent with real upside in weaker fields like this one. He\u2019s\u00a0 made the cut in 5 of 6 PGA Tour starts and already has finishes of 3rd and 9th at Puerto Rico and\u00a0Myrtle Beach\u2014both easy-scoring setups that compare well to this event. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He\u2019s also been playing\u00a0 excellent golf on the Korn Ferry Tour. Long off the tee with a hot putter, Brown has the tools to\u00a0 seriously outperform this salary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rest of Lineup: Eric Cole ($8,100), Davis Thompson ($9,200), Brooks Koepka ($9,600) \u2014 a\u00a0 balanced build with proven upside and enough scoring potential to compete in both cash games\u00a0 and GPPs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Looking for more free sports picks and sports betting tips?<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n