CJ Cup Byron Nelson Preview: Picks, Key Stats & Players to Watch

TPC Craig Ranch 

Par: 71

Yardage: 7,385

Greens: Bentgrass

 

Key Stats 

• Strokes Gained: Approach
• Birdie%
• Strokes Gained: Off the Tee
• Strokes Gained: Putting 

 

After a week off, I’m back with my PGA preview this time for the CJ Cup Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch. This will be an interesting week, given that some renovations were made to avoid it being too scoreable like it usually is. Whether or not they make a huge difference remains to be seen – but the greens are supposed to play faster. Typically this is a birdie fest, and I still believe we will see a very low score bring it home on Sunday. 

Brooks Koepka

 

Koepka hasn’t been featured much by me this season, but I’m optimistic this week.. We saw Wyndham Clark get back in the winner's circle last week after running down Scottie Scheffler on the weekend – and I’m hoping we get that from Brooks soon. We know the story with him – he’s playing elite golf right now outside of the putter and it’s hard to think that changes anytime soon…but if it all comes together one week he is going to be a big threat to win. I guess I just love betting on guys that can’t putt. That being said, he ranks top-four in my model this week and that’s with his terrible putting splits. I’m willing to bite the bullet and jump on the train this week. 

 

Rickie Fowler 

 

Fowler is another guy I would love to see get back into the winner's circle, and he is my overall pick to win this week. I can see myself being on him in Detroit when we get there also – so remember that if he doesn’t put it together this weekend. He’s been back to really good form this season and outside of Scottie Scheffler I don’t fear anyone in this field. He absolutely can compete this week. 

 

Blades Brown

 

Brown is a high odds dart throw for me, betting on an elite up and coming talent in what I view as a relatively weak field. We have seen a wide range of outcomes from the youngster this season, but he has big-time spike potential with the putter and we know the ball striking can be elite so I could absolutely see him being in the mix again come Sunday at a big, big number.