After Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry's win at the Zurich Classic, the PGA Tour shifts to solo stroke play for the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in Texas. This event, a PGA staple since the '50s, got its name in honor of Byron Nelson in '68. Before the PGA Championship at Valhalla, golfers stop in McKinney, Texas, for the CJ CUP Byron Nelson. 

CJ Cup Byron Nelson 2024 Tournament

TPC Craig Ranch hosted the Byron Nelson three times, after it used to be at Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas. Known for its laid-back vibe, the event keeps it chill at TPC Craig Ranch. 

 

 

 

With 156 players teeing off, many big names sit this one out to prepare for the next major and a special event at Quail Hollow next week. Still, we're prepared with our top PGA DFS picks for this tournament.

TPC Craig Ranch: Course Breakdown

TPC Craig Ranch, spanning 7,414 yards with a par 71 layout, challenges golfers with Bentgrass greens and Zoysia fairways. Success hinges on strategic driving to set up approach play, crucial beyond 175 yards. The course's challenging par 3s, averaging 204 yards, require adeptness for scoring opportunities. Smooth Bentgrass greens emphasize the importance of proficient putting. 

Historically, the course is forgiving, yielding high birdie and eagle counts. Past winners excel in ball striking and tee-to-green play, emphasizing accuracy off the tee and par 3 management. In DFS strategy, targeting aggressive players on par 5s and manageable par 4s can be fruitful. Additionally, prioritizing long iron proficiency on challenging par 3s and recent form in ball striking and tee-to-green play enhances competitive edge at TPC Craig Ranch.

2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson Field 

One week after competing in the Zurich Classic team event, many of the top players are opting out of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in Texas. Positioned amidst a hectic six-week schedule packed with major events, it's hardly surprising that the A-listers are absent.

KH Lee has been dominating at TPC Craig Ranch, clinching victory in the first two contests and eyeing a third win. Additionally, Jason Day, last year's champion, is returning to defend his title.

While Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns typically enjoy the Texas Swing, they're skipping this one due to impending arrivals in their families—both are expecting their first child!

Nevertheless, the Lone Star State can always rely on its local talent to shine. Jordan Spieth, Will Zalatoris, and Tom Kim, all with ties to the Dallas area, are fan favorites. Furthermore, a cadre of Texas talent, including Jason Day, Min Woo Lee, Byeong Hun An, Sungjae Im, and Adam Scott, are poised to make their mark.

 

 

 

PGA Stats To Know: 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson

Top SG: Tee-To-Green Targets

  • Si Woo Kim - 4th on Tour
  • Keith Mitchell - 7th on Tour
  • Alex Noren - 15th on Tour
  • Ryan Moore - 16th on Tour
  • Andrew Novak - 18th on Tour

Driving Accuracy

  • Si Woo Kim - 3rd on Tour
  • Zach Johnson - 10th on Tour
  • Daniel Berger - 12th on Tour
  • Will Zalatoris - 15th on Tour
  • Tom Kim - 17th on Tour

Par 3 Performance

  • Tom Hoge - 1st on Tour
  • Thomas Detry - 7th on Tour
  • Nate Lashley - T-12th on Tour
  • Adam Scott - T-12th on Tour
  • David Skinns - T-12th on Tour

Best Course History

  • Jason Day - 2 Wins, 2nd & 5th (7 of last 8 Cuts)
  • Adam Scott - A Win & 2 Top 10s (4 of 6 Cuts)
  • Byeong-Hun An - 1 Top 5 & 1 Top 15 (2 of 2 Cuts)
  • Charley Hoffman - 2nd, 7th, 8th, & 12th (7 of last 11 Cuts)
  • Alex Noren - 1 Top 12 & 1 Top 25 (3 of 3 Cuts)

My Best Bets (19-36 Overall, -6.65 Units)

  • Alex Noren: Top 20 (+130)
  • Keith Mitchell: Top 20 (+190)
  • Maverick McNealy: Top 30 (+140)
  • Davis Thompson: Top 30 (+150)

One & Done Play

  • Byeong Hun An

 

 

 

PGA DFS Picks: CJ Cup Byron Nelson 2024

Top-Price DFS CJ Cup Byron Nelson Picks

Si Woo Kim ($9,800)

Si Woo Kim's claim to fame is his wild golf game and his big win at the 2017 Players Championship, where he became the youngest champ ever. This year, he's been on fire, making the cut in all 11 starts and landing in the top 25 seven times. Even though he's not great at putting (ranking 141st), he's still killing it overall, sitting pretty at 10th in total strokes gained, mainly because he's a beast off the tee. 

He's getting some love in the betting world, sharing the top spot with Spieth at the DraftKings Sportsbook. It just feels right to pass on the big names like Spieth and Day (especially since Zalatoris dropped out). Kim came close to winning here last year, so you know he's got what it takes to make some noise.

Alex Noren ($9,500)

Swedish golfer Alex Noren is a big deal on the European Tour. He's snagged some major wins, like at the BMW PGA Championship and the Scottish Open. But here's the thing: even though he's doing pretty darn well on the course, ranking 15th in SG: Tee-to-Green and sixth in SG: Total, he's only got one top-10 finish in nine starts. It's kinda weird, right? He's playing way better than his scores show. 

He's had six top-25 finishes and three top-15 finishes, so he's really close to breaking into the top 10. Plus, if you look back at his past performances, like finishing 12th last year and 21st the year before, it's like déjà vu for his 2024 season. Noren's known for his killer iron shots and clutch putting, skills that have made him a solid player for Team Europe in the Ryder Cup. He's got that cool and consistent vibe, which helps him handle the pressure like a champ.

Byeong Hun An ($9,300)

Byeong Hun An is a total powerhouse when it comes to driving the golf ball. He's consistently up there in the top 10 for distance, which gives him a real edge on this course. What really sets him apart is his precision and cool demeanor on the course, making him a real contender this weekend. 

And let's not forget his solid performance at TPC Craig Ranch last year, where he came in 14th and aced all aspects of his game from tee to green.Sure, his putting game might not always be spot on, but he's still the king of birdies or better in this lineup, scoring big over his last 50 rounds. At just 33, he's been a major player in golf since he took home the BMW PGA Championship in 2015.

 

 

 

Mid-Price DFS RBC Heritage Picks

Keith Mitchell ($8,800)

Keith Mitchell's time at TPC Craig Ranch is pretty short, considering the course only started hosting the AT&T Byron Nelson in 2021. He's known for his tee game, but lately, he's been stepping up his long iron skills, which seems to be doing wonders for him. He's been on a roll, especially this season, consistently nailing approach shots and doing well on those bentgrass greens. 

With six top-25 finishes in eleven starts this year, it looks like Mitchell's got some good momentum going into Dallas. He's probably looking to play to his strengths while tackling whatever challenges TPC Craig Ranch throws at him.

Mark Hubbard ($8,200)

Mark Hubbard is famous for his accuracy on the green, and he's not just a one-trick pony. He's been killing it in various aspects of the game too. Right now, he's sitting pretty in the top 25 on Tour for SG: Approach this season, showing off his smart game plan that keeps getting him solid results, especially on this course. 

Hubbard hasn't missed a beat this season, making the cut in all 11 tournaments so far. Last week, he and his partner Ryan Brehm nailed a third-place finish at the Zurich Classic, which is no small feat. Hubbard's smooth moves show he can handle any situation, making him a real force to be reckoned with in the golf world.

Davis Thompson ($7,900)

Davis Thompson's been killing it this season, landing in the Top-25 in six out of his 12 starts, including last week's run at Zurich. A former star at the University of Georgia, he snagged All-American honors, proving he's got real talent. 

Plus, he's among the top 25 on Tour for birdie average, hitting 20-under at the American Express in January. And don't forget, he's sitting pretty at 50th on Tour for SG: Tee-to-Green. This kid's got big dreams for his pro career, and he's well on his way to making them happen.

 

 

 

Value-Price DFS RBC Heritage Picks

Peter Kuest ($7,500)

The guy from Fresno kicked off the season on the Korn Ferry Tour. Kuest just nailed top 10 in his last two outings at the Valero Texas Open and Corales. He did his college golfing at Brigham Young University (BYU), where he racked up awards, like snagging the WCC Player of the Year title. 

He's a real powerhouse with his drives, one of the biggest hitters out there. Last year, he landed 14th place at TPC Craig Ranch. Going pro in 2020, he's been showing off his skills on different tours, aiming to make it big in the golfing world.

Garrick Higgo ($7,300)

Garrick Higgo swings smooth and sweet, making him a golfer to keep your eye on worldwide. He snagged his first PGA Tour win at the 2021 Palmetto Championship, showing off his killer short game and keeping cool when it counted. Last week, he and Ryan Fox rocked the Zurich Classic with a solid finish. 

Now, he's off to another course that's perfect for his big drives and putting skills. Alongside Byeong Hun An, he's one of just two players in this field who are top dogs in both driving distance and birdies or better. TPC Craig Ranch is gonna be the perfect stage to show off what he's got.

Jhonattan Vegas ($6,900)

When it comes to Jhonattan Vegas, one thing's for sure – he's a powerhouse on the golf course. This guy from Venezuela has got serious charm whenever he's out playing. He's all about those wide, driver-heavy courses where getting a good score is everything. Vegas has been rocking it as a golf pro since 2008, racking up quite a few wins along the way. 

His skills with the driver and long irons are top-notch, and he's already shown his stuff with a ninth-place finish at TPC Craig Ranch. In a field where things can get pretty murky pretty fast, Vegas stands out as the most reliable hitter in the $6,000 range.

Player Pool

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