CJ Cup Byron Nelson Betting Preview
Go low or go home as the players descend upon TPC Craig Ranch
We're off to TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney Texas and it's go low or go home in the fourth edition (in this region) of the newly named CJ Cup Byron Nelson. A cumulative -74 under par has taken down the three editions at Craig Ranch so far. KH Lee loves a birdie fest at a TPC venue and he's won two of these already, with last year's tournament going to Jason Day. The Aussie likes it in these parts having also won the Byron Nelson back in 2010.
The market is led by local man Jordan Spieth (14/1) who made his debut at the Byron Nelson as a 16-year-old IIRC. We get a break this week from the dominator that is Scottie Scheffler as his wife is due to give birth. Usually as golf bettors we love a short priced favourite as it creates value down the market but obviously the Scheff didn't get the memo that he's not actually meant to get the W!
Course Profile
Birdie makers are the target here. Strong putters are on the radar and not necessarily big nor accurate hitters are the typical profile at the venue. TPC Craig Ranch is a par 71 playing over 7400 yards but there's no real power-hitting theme on the leaderboard over the last three CJ Cup Byron Nelson events. Good total driving and proximity with the mid-irons and shorter irons will be required. The total birdies and par breaker stats will be firmly in the window, as will form in this part of the US. The only real defence of the course is if the wind gets up significantly.
Nic's Picks
Total driving and putting / birdie making are the premiums at TPC Craig Ranch so the in-form Belgian Thomas Detry looks a play at 40/1. Detry is 10th in birdie average and comes here off the back of a top 10 alongside Bob McIntyre in the Zurich Classic. Recently 2nd at the Texas Children's Houston Open, the Belgian is 18th in strokes gained putting and ranks 11th in putting from 10-15 feet - a key birdie stat this week.
Mark Hubbard at 66/1 is a standout price here off the back of a 3rd place finish alongside Ryan Brehm at the Zurich Classic. There's a lovely consistent streak in terms of the current and course form concoction for Hubbard who posted top 35s the last two years here and has finished no worse than 36th in his last four singles events on the PGA Tour. Hubbard ranks fifth in birdies or better % in 2024..........
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