{"id":21407,"date":"2026-05-18T16:43:30","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T16:43:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/api.betspertsgolf.com\/raw-forum\/?post_type=article&#038;p=21407"},"modified":"2026-05-18T16:43:30","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T16:43:30","slug":"pat-mayos-2026-cj-cup-byron-nelson-picks-rankings-course-preview-fantasy-golf-picks","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/api.betspertsgolf.com\/raw-forum\/article\/pat-mayos-2026-cj-cup-byron-nelson-picks-rankings-course-preview-fantasy-golf-picks\/","title":{"rendered":"Pat Mayo&#8217;s 2026 CJ CUP Byron Nelson Picks, Rankings, Course Preview | Fantasy Golf Picks"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 data-pm-slice=\"0 0 []\" data-rm-block-id=\"block-1\">Mayo&#8217;s 2026 CJ CUP <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/byron-nelson\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Byron Nelson<\/a> Picks<\/span><\/h2>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-2\">\n<h4 data-rm-block-id=\"block-3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/MqBkDfXD1Ik\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\"><strong>WATCH: CJ CUP <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/byron-nelson\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Byron Nelson<\/a><\/span> Picks, Research, Rankings, Sleepers, Course Preview | Fantasy Golf Picks<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n<h3 data-rm-block-id=\"block-4\">2026 CJ CUP <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/byron-nelson\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Byron Nelson<\/a><\/span> Field<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-5\">Field: 145 Players<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-6\">Cut: Top 65 and Ties<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-7\">First Tee: Thursday, May 21<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-8\">Defending Champion: <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/scottie-scheffler\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Scottie Scheffler<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-9\"><span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/scottie-scheffler\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Scottie Scheffler<\/a><\/span> is back to defend his title. His main threats will be Si WOO Kim, <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/jordan-spieth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jordan Spieth<\/a><\/span>, <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/brooks-koepka\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Brooks Koepka<\/a><\/span>, and <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/sungjae-im\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sungjae Im<\/a><\/span>. Beyond that, there\u2019s a wave of youthful big hitters: <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/pierceson-coody\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pierceson Coody<\/a><\/span>, <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/michael-thorbjornsen\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Michael Thorbjornsen<\/a><\/span>, <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/rasmus-hojgaard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rasmus Hojgaard<\/a><\/span>, <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/taylor-pendrith\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Taylor Pendrith<\/a><\/span>, <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/keith-mitchell\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Keith Mitchell<\/a><\/span>, <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/michael-brennan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Michael Brennan<\/a><\/span>, David Thompson, <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/rico-hoey\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rico Hoey<\/a><\/span>, Aldrich Potgiter, Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, and <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/johnny-keefer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Johnny Keefer<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-10\"><span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/max-greyserman\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Max Greyserman<\/a><\/span>, <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/tom-kim\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tom Kim<\/a><\/span>, <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/wyndham-clark\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wyndham Clark<\/a>,<\/span> and <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/tony-finau\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tony Finau<\/a><\/span> are also playing.<\/p>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-11\">As of this writing, <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/aaron-rai\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Aaron Rai<\/a><\/span> is currently listed in the field. I have my doubts he\u2019ll end up boarding his flight to Dallas. But maybe I\u2019m wrong. That\u2019s been known to happen. <em>(<a href=\"\/golfer\/aaron-rai\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Aaron Rai<\/a> withdrew).<\/em><\/p>\n<h4 data-rm-block-id=\"block-12\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mayomedia.substack.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\"><strong>SUB TO FREE PME NEWSLETTER TO GET ALL ARTICLES AND CHEATSHEETS EARLY + EXTRA INFO &amp; BREAKING NEWS<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n<h3 data-rm-block-id=\"block-13\">2026 CJ CUP <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/byron-nelson\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Byron Nelson<\/a><\/span> Key Stats<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-14\">SG: Approach<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-15\">Proximity 175+ Yards<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-16\">Par 4s Gained 450-500 Yards<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-17\">SG: Off The Tee<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-18\">Eagles Gained<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 data-rm-block-id=\"block-19\"><a href=\"https:\/\/betspertsgolf.com\/Mayo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Mayo\u2019s Key Stat Rankings Powered by the Rabbit Hole at Betsperts Golf<\/a><\/h4>\n<div class=\"captioned-image-container\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"image2-inset\">\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-20\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sizing-normal alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!Fiy6!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4a583aad-55c4-4b59-84ed-32d37ec7ade4_634x1014.png\" alt=\"2026 CJ CUP <a href=\"\/golfer\/byron-nelson\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Byron Nelson<\/a>&#8221; width=&#8221;634&#8243; height=&#8221;1014&#8243; data-attrs=&#8221;{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/4a583aad-55c4-4b59-84ed-32d37ec7ade4_634x1014.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1014,&quot;width&quot;:634,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:117435,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image\/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/mayomedia.substack.com\/i\/198241879?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4a583aad-55c4-4b59-84ed-32d37ec7ade4_634x1014.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}&#8221; \/><\/p>\n<div data-rm-block-id=\"block-21\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h3 data-rm-block-id=\"block-22\">2026 CJ CUP <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/byron-nelson\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Byron Nelson<\/a><\/span> Course<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-23\">Course: TPC Craig Ranch<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-24\">Par: 71<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-25\">Yardage 7,385<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-26\">Greens: Bentgrass<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-27\">Average Green Size: 6,778 sq. ft.<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-28\">Number of Sand Bunkers: 83<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-29\">Number of Holes Water is in Play: 13<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-30\"><strong>Par 3\u2019s (4)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-31\">-&gt; Three over 200, one at 135 yards<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-32\">4 of the 8 hardest holes on property, all with a par rate over 70%<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-33\">2025 Scheffler: Carded a birdie on each of them at some point during the win &#8230; of his 4 bogeys for the week, 2 came on Par 3\u2019s<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-34\"><strong>Par 4\u2019s (11)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-35\">-&gt; Two under 375, 3 from 400-450 (first three holes), 6 at 450 + (six of the final seven Par 4s are 450+)<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-36\">Scoring stretch: The 5 easiest Par 4\u2019s come from Hole 6-11<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-37\">2025 Scheffler: Only 4 Par 4 back-9 birdies for the week<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-38\"><strong>Par 5\u2019s (3)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-39\">The 3 easiest holes, all carrying an Eagle rate over 2.5% (three with a sub 5% bogey rate)<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-40\">2025 Scheffler: The 2 on the front-9 &#8230; 6 birdies and 2 eagles<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-rm-block-id=\"block-41\">2026 CJ CUP <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/byron-nelson\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Byron Nelson<\/a><\/span> Past Winners<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-42\"><strong>2025<\/strong>: <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/scottie-scheffler\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Scottie Scheffler<\/a><\/span> (-31, eight clear of <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/erik-van-rooyen\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Erik van Rooyen<\/a><\/span>)<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-43\"><strong>2024<\/strong>: <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/taylor-pendrith\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Taylor Pendrith<\/a><\/span> (-23, one clear of <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/ben-kohles\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ben Kohles<\/a><\/span>)<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-44\"><strong>2023<\/strong>: <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/jason-day\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jason Day<\/a><\/span> (-23, one clear of Si-Woo Kim and <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/austin-eckroat\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Austin Eckroat<\/a><\/span>)<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-45\"><strong>2022<\/strong>: KH Lee (-26, one clear of <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/jordan-spieth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jordan Spieth<\/a><\/span>)<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-46\"><strong>2021<\/strong>: KH Lee (-25, three clear of <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/sam-burns\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sam Burns<\/a><\/span>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-47\"><strong>2025: <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/scottie-scheffler\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Scottie Scheffler<\/a><\/span> <\/strong>(+1100, betting favorite) beats <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/erik-van-rooyen\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Erik van Rooyen<\/a><\/span> by 8<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-48\">Scheffler was 6th in putting, 3rd OTT, and 1st APP<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-49\">BS ranks of those who finished 1-2-3-4 for the week: 1-2-37 (<span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/sam-stevens\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sam Stevens<\/a><\/span>) &#8211; 3<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-50\"><strong>2024: <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/taylor-pendrith\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Taylor Pendrith<\/a><\/span> <\/strong>(+8000) beats Ben Kholes by 1<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-51\">The top 3 finishers were all top 15 ARG and top 30 P<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-52\">Both Pendrith (69th in APP) and Kohles (75th OTT) overcame a shaky part of their game<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-53\"><strong>2023: <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/jason-day\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jason Day<\/a><\/span> <\/strong>(+1800, 3rd on the better board behind Scheffler and Hatton) beats <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/si-woo-kim\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Si Woo Kim<\/a><\/span> and <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/austin-eckroat\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Austin Eckroat<\/a><\/span> by 1<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-54\">Day led T2G to offset 35th in putting, Eckroat led in P to offset 129th in ARG<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-55\">Only two of the top-10 OTT golfers for the week cashed a top-10 paycheck<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-56\"><strong>2022: KH Lee <\/strong>(+10000) beats <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/jordan-spieth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jordan Spieth<\/a><\/span> by 1<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-57\">The top 4 finishers were all top-10 in APP (Hideki led in APP and finished T-3rd despite ranking 97th ARG)<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-58\"><span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/james-hahn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">James Hahn<\/a><\/span> with one of the more odd profiles for a top-10 finish: 2nd in OTT, 2nd in APP, 108th in ARG, 115th in P<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-59\"><strong>2021: KH Lee <\/strong>(+15000) beats <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/sam-burns\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sam Burns<\/a><\/span> by 3<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-60\">3 of the top-6 finishers were outside of the top 80 ARG for the week<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-61\">Round 4 for the top 6 finishers (Starting with Lee): -6, -2, -8, -4, -9 (<span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/patton-kizzire\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Patton Kizzire<\/a><\/span>), and -6<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-62\"><strong>The KH Lee Profile<\/strong> \u2026 Lee has won this thing in consecutive seasons, so why not take a look at exactly what he has done at a high level during those two seasons. Taking into account all rounds in 2021 and 2022, here are a few of the areas Lee gained strokes on the field in the majority of his rounds (not just at <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/byron-nelson\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Byron Nelson<\/a><\/span>, but overall):<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-63\">Ball Striking (61%)<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-64\">3-putt avoidance (59.8%)<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-65\">Par 4 scoring, 450-500 yards (57.3%)<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-66\">Fairways gained (56.9%)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-67\"><strong>FIRST ROUND LEADERS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-68\">2025<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-69\">61 &#8211; <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/scottie-scheffler\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Scottie Scheffler<\/a><\/span>, PM (two clear of anyone else)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-70\">2024<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-71\">63 &#8211; <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/matt-wallace\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Matt Wallace<\/a><\/span>, AM (six-way tie at 64 one stroke behind him)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-72\">2023<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-73\">60 &#8211; SY Noh, AM &#8211; first group (three clear of anyone else)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-74\">2022<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-75\">60 &#8211; Sebastian Munoz, AM (four clear of anyone else)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-76\">2021<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-77\">63 &#8211; <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/jordan-spieth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jordan Spieth<\/a><\/span>, PM and JJ Spaun, AM (his best round of the event by six strokes)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-rm-block-id=\"block-78\">2026 CJ CUP <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/byron-nelson\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Byron Nelson<\/a><\/span> NOTES<\/h3>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-79\">At the conclusion of the 2025 CJ Cup <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/byron-nelson\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Byron Nelson<\/a><\/span>, the dozers rolled onto the property and construction began on a complete course redesign led by <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/lanny-wadkins\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Lanny Wadkins<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-80\">The renovation was driven by widespread criticism that TPC Craig Ranch had become too easy for PGA Tour players, regularly yielding winning scores in the mid 20s under par.<\/p>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-81\">TPC Craig Ranch changed nearly every playing surface on the course:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-82\">777 Bentgrass on greens<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-83\">Stadium Zoysia on fairways and approaches<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-84\">TifTuf Bermuda on tees and rough<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-85\">The new bentgrass greens were specifically chosen to produce:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-86\">faster speeds<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-87\">firmer surfaces<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-88\">smoother putting conditions<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-89\">better heat tolerance for Texas summers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-90\">The renovated course reopened to members in late 2025 \/ early 2026. Early reports say it now \u201cfeels like a brand new golf course,\u201d with:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-91\">reshaped greens<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-92\">expanded pin positions<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-93\">more strategic bunkering<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-94\">improved drainage<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-95\">more visually dramatic corridors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-96\">More changes\u2026<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-97\">After being switched to a Par 4, hole 12 is now a Par 5 again. From 493 to 540<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-98\">Hole 18 has been switched from a 552-yard Par 5 to a 480-yard Par 4<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-99\">Starting 21 days later in May than a year ago.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-rm-block-id=\"block-100\">2026 CJ CUP <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/byron-nelson\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Byron Nelson<\/a><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-101\">It\u2019s been half a decade for TPC Craig Ranch as an annual TOUR course, and a verdict has been reached: It\u2019s easy. Not the easiest, but close. Just birdies and eagles everywhere. In its debut as a TOUR course in 2021, TPC Craig Ranch gave up the most birdies of any course that year, along with the fourth-most eagles. It was the track with the fourth-highest average scrambling rate as well; even if you miss greens, par will be saved 66% of the time. It all makes sense statistically. Players hit more fairways here than average, hit more GIRs, drive the ball farther, and three-putt less often.<\/p>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-102\">Rowlett Creek runs throughout the course and forces players to either lay up or try to clear the hazards on about half the holes, but since it doesn\u2019t provide too much difficulty from the fairway, \u201clay up\u201d should be stricken from the record for a week.<\/p>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-103\">With the way the holes are laid out, expect a larger-than-normal amount of approach shots from 175 yards and beyond. All three par 5s measure between 547 and 569 yards, and three of the par 3s are at least 200 yards. There are immediately seven holes where you\u2019ll encounter approaches in that range. In five years, over 50% of approach shots have come from 175+ yards.<\/p>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-104\">Beyond that, there are six par 4s over 450 yards, with another two under 360 yards. No. 14 is drivable by most of the field but with some risk, which we want from short par 4s. It\u2019s a slight right-to-left drive guarded by bunkers to the right and a massive water hazard to the left. Expect a lot of the field to bail out into the right greenside bunkers and be forced to get it up and down for birdie. The field is making eagle at only a 1.5% clip while the birdie rate is a staggering 43%.<\/p>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-105\">No. 6 plays 361 yards, but with no hazard area, some of the bigger hitters have given it a go from the box, although it\u2019s just a tad too long to get to. It\u2019s 341 yards to the front of the green with bunkers situated on each side of the putting surface. Like No. 14, it\u2019s slightly right-to-left from the tee box, and a favorable bounce could sneak a drive between the front and right side bunker and squirt onto the putting surface.<\/p>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-106\"><a href=\"https:\/\/betspertsgolf.com\/subscribe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Per The Rabbit Hole<\/a>, the best players in the field on Par 4s under 350 yards over the past 18 months are\u2026<\/p>\n<div class=\"captioned-image-container\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"image2-inset\">\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-107\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sizing-normal aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!0qkK!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0a6a4ca7-b251-4e16-b0e3-1b36955cd51f_2076x1024.png\" alt=\"2026 CJ CUP <a href=\"\/golfer\/byron-nelson\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Byron Nelson<\/a>&#8221; width=&#8221;1456&#8243; height=&#8221;718&#8243; data-attrs=&#8221;{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/0a6a4ca7-b251-4e16-b0e3-1b36955cd51f_2076x1024.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:718,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:323684,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image\/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/mayomedia.substack.com\/i\/198241879?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0a6a4ca7-b251-4e16-b0e3-1b36955cd51f_2076x1024.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}&#8221; \/><\/p>\n<div data-rm-block-id=\"block-108\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-109\"><strong><em>Some Random Stats from TPC Craig Ranch in 2024<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-110\"><strong>2,021 total birdies<\/strong> \u2014 3rd most on TOUR<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-111\"><strong>60 total eagles<\/strong> \u2014 5th most on TOUR<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-112\"><strong>26.48% birdie-or-better rate inside 125 yards<\/strong> \u2014 4th easiest on TOUR<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-113\"><strong>88.31% GIR inside 125 yards<\/strong> \u2014 4th easiest on TOUR<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-114\"><strong>66.70% scrambling rate<\/strong> \u2014 2nd easiest on TOUR<\/li>\n<li data-rm-block-id=\"block-115\"><strong>94 hole-outs<\/strong> \u2014 4th most on TOUR<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-116\">Running those numbers through a super-processor, it\u2019ll spit out El Cardonal at Diamant\u00e9, PGA West Stadium Course, Sea Island Seaside Course, and TPC Scottsdale as the courses that match some of the same numbers. Not positive those results are super helpful.<\/p>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-117\">While that may be helpful and point somewhat in the right direction, I think looking at the combination of results from Farmers, Mexico, Houston, and Detroit makes far more sense since we\u2019ve seen so much crossover success between those courses the past few years.<\/p>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-118\"><em>Here are the SG: TOTAL\/ROUND leaders from only those courses since the beginning of 2023.<\/em><\/p>\n<h4 data-rm-block-id=\"block-119\"><a href=\"https:\/\/betspertsgolf.com\/subscribe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\">Projections, Stats &amp; Data Powered by the Rabbit Hole Tool<\/a><\/h4>\n<div class=\"captioned-image-container\">\n<figure>\n<div class=\"image2-inset\">\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-120\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"sizing-normal aligncenter\" title=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/substackcdn.com\/image\/fetch\/$s_!1iPp!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep\/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe6a34590-5b7b-490d-9fe2-6c844cb93d67_2062x1012.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1456\" height=\"715\" data-attrs=\"{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/public\/images\/e6a34590-5b7b-490d-9fe2-6c844cb93d67_2062x1012.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:715,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:308974,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image\/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/mayomedia.substack.com\/i\/198241879?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe6a34590-5b7b-490d-9fe2-6c844cb93d67_2062x1012.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}\" \/><\/p>\n<div data-rm-block-id=\"block-121\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h2 data-rm-block-id=\"block-122\">2026 CJ CUP <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/byron-nelson\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Byron Nelson<\/a><\/span> PICKS<\/h2>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-123\"><strong><em><span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/michael-brennan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Michael Brennan<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Brennan is almost an auto bet at any lower quality field event once he clears +5000. Not that he\u2019ll necessarily play well (most times he won\u2019t), but he has the most repeatable, elite skill in golf: Driving the golf ball. Brennan\u2019s combination of distance and accuracy isn\u2019t found often. And he even did us a solid by imploding in the final round at the PGA Championship, pushing his name down the betting board this week. No, he\u2019s not likely to beat Scheffler or even most in the field, but you\u2019re going to get a week (like when he won in Utah) where he hits his irons decently, rides a hot putter, and wins by a touchdown.<\/p>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-124\"><strong><em><span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/austin-eckroat\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Austin Eckroat<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/strong> \u2014 The runner-up to <span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/jason-day\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jason Day<\/a><\/span> here in 2024, Austin 316 is back to playing quality golf after a career dip. While playing sparingly because of the schedule, Eckroat\u2019s posted consecutive Top 20s in which his irons and short game have started to surge. The driver isn\u2019t all the way back to previous elite accuracy levels, but that\u2019s not too much of a concern at Craig Ranch.<\/p>\n<p data-rm-block-id=\"block-125\"><strong><em><span class=\"unlink-player\"><a href=\"\/golfer\/hayden-springer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hayden Springer<\/a><\/span> &amp; Ponyus Nyholm<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 These guys just keep popping up in the key metrics. Gamble responsibly. Definitely (losing) first round leader bets.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pat Mayo takes a deep dive into tournament and player stats with the Rabbit Hole Tool from Betsperts Golf making his early 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson Picks, highlighting stats that matter inside the model, and previewing the course.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":21419,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":""},"bs_types":[14,15],"bs_tags":[113,29,73],"class_list":["post-21407","article","type-article","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","bs_type-betting","bs_type-fantasy","bs_tag-att-byron-nelson","bs_tag-golf-betting","bs_tag-golf-dfs"],"acf":false,"featured_image":"https:\/\/api.betspertsgolf.com\/raw-forum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/CJ-CUP-Byron-Nelson-compressed-scaled.jpg","tags_list":[{"id":113,"name":"Byron Nelson","slug":"att-byron-nelson"},{"id":29,"name":"Golf Betting","slug":"golf-betting"},{"id":73,"name":"Golf DFS","slug":"golf-dfs"}],"types_list":[{"id":14,"name":"Betting"},{"id":15,"name":"Fantasy"}],"bs_author":{"name":"Pat Mayo","profile_image":"https:\/\/api.betspertsgolf.com\/raw-forum\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-11-17-163255-150x150.png"},"bs_term_name":null,"is_paid":"false","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/api.betspertsgolf.com\/raw-forum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/21407","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/api.betspertsgolf.com\/raw-forum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/api.betspertsgolf.com\/raw-forum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/article"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/api.betspertsgolf.com\/raw-forum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/29"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/api.betspertsgolf.com\/raw-forum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21419"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/api.betspertsgolf.com\/raw-forum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21407"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"bs_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/api.betspertsgolf.com\/raw-forum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bs_types?post=21407"},{"taxonomy":"bs_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/api.betspertsgolf.com\/raw-forum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bs_tags?post=21407"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}