2026 PGA Picks: The CJ Cup Byron Nelson Odds and Expert Betting Predictions

The PGA Championship ended last week with a career-defining win for Aaron Rai, who collected his second career PGA Tour victory and first Major victory.

This week, the PGA Tour heads back to Texas for The CJ Cup Byron Nelson. The event is set to begin on Thursday, May 21st, and will conclude on Sunday, May 24th. 

Unlike last week at the PGA Championship, the field for this tournament is nowhere near as strong, with many of the top players in the world opting to sit out. That said, world number one, Scottie Scheffler, will be participating and, as such, is an overwhelming favorite.  

As with every week, my article will preview this tournament by providing a brief course overview, the current outright betting odds, my best bet to win the event, and my two favorite Top X Finish player props.

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The Course

The CJ Cup Byron Nelson will be played at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas. This course is a Par 71 and measures 7385 yards. TPC Craig Ranch is made up of 11 Par 4s, four Par 3s, and three Par 5s.

This course is a Tom Weiskopf design, opening in 2004. It recently underwent renovation and has hosted the Byron Nelson tournament on the PGA Tour since 2021. 

Outright Betting Odds

Below are the top 10 outright betting odds to win The CJ Cup Byron Nelson per DraftKings Sportsbook:

*Scottie Scheffler: +168

*Si Woo Kim: +1275

*Jordan Spieth: +1750

*Brooks Koepka: +2500

*Keith Mitchell: +3700

*Pierceson Coody: +4000

*Michael Thorbjornsen: +4000

*Ryo Hisatsune: +4700

*Wyndham Clark: +4800

*Davis Thompson: +4900

Best Bets

Si Woo Kim to Win The CJ Cup Byron Nelson (+1275)

My top pick to win The CJ Cup Byron Nelson will target Si Woo Kim. It is easy to say that Kim has been one of the most consistent players on Tour this season, as he ranks 9th in the FedEx Cup and has made the cut in all 14 of the events he has played. 

He has come close to winning numerous times this season as well, finishing inside the Top 10 in six events. This includes a T6 at The American Express, a T2 at the Farmers Insurance Open, a T3 at the WM Phoenix Open, a Solo 3rd at the RBC Heritage, and a T4 at the Cadillac Championship.

Further, Kim ranks 11th in Strokes Gained: Total, 6th in Strokes Gained: Approach to Green, 3rd in Driving Accuracy, 10th in Scoring Average, 6th in Par 4 Scoring Average, and 11th in Birdie Average.

Given how well Kim has played this season and considering that the field is much weaker this week compared to recent weeks, backing Kim to win The CJ Cup Byron Nelson is my best bet.

Brooks Koepka to Finish Top 20 (Including Ties) (+100)

My favorite ‘Top X Finish’ prop for The CJ Cup Byron Nelson, will look for Brooks Koepka to finish inside the Top 20. Since returning to the PGA Tour this season, Koepka has made seven of 10 cuts. This includes five Top 20 finishes as well, most notably the Myrtle Beach Classic two weeks ago. 

In fact, he has finished inside the Top 20 in three of his last six events. Koepka ranks 27th in Strokes Gained: Total, 3rd in Strokes Gained: Approach to Green, and 3rd in Green in Regulation %. His putting has been his biggest weakness, ranking 141st in Strokes Gained: Putting. 

Despite that, Koepka has been relatively consistent in 2026; therefore, because the field this week is not particularly strong, backing Koepka to win Top 20 is my play.  

Davis Thompson to Finish Top 20 (Including Ties) (+140)

My second favorite Top X Finish prop for The CJ Cup Byron Nelson will look for Davis Thompson to Finish Inside the Top 20. Thompson has had a decent 2026 season thus far, making 8/11 cuts. He has finished inside the Top 20 in four events, which includes his last three events in a row. 

Thompson has not been particularly great at any one area this season. That being said, he ranks 17th in Strokes Gained: Approach to Green, 15th in Green in Regulation %, and 6th in Scrambling %. 

Thompson will likely not be in the running to win this event; however, seeing that he has some solid finishes in recent weeks, backing Thompson to Finish Inside the Top 20 is my play.

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