The 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson takes place on the PGA Tour from May 21‑24 with the event once again heading to TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas.
The Tom Weiskopf design is a 7,385 yards and par 71 test with its generous fairways and receptive greens usually creating one of the lower‑scoring tests on the schedule.
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler returns as a very short‑priced favourite after his dominant eight‑shot win last year, while Si Woo Kim, Jordan Spieth and Brooks Koepka are the main names chasing him in the outright market.
With plenty of birdie opportunities on offer and winning scores often pushing deep into double digits under par, this week is likely to reward aggressive iron play and a hot putter.
Current CJ Cup Byron Nelson 2026 Betting Odds
| Player | Betting Odds |
|---|---|
| Scottie Scheffler | +280 (2.8/1) |
| Si Woo Kim | +1400 (14/1) |
| Jordan Spieth | +1600 (16/1) |
| Brooks Koepka | +2500 (25/1) |
| Michael Thorbjornsen | +3800 (38/1) |
| Ryo Hisatsune | +3800 (38/1) |
| Davis Thompson | +4600 (46/1) |
| Keith Mitchell | +4600 (46/1) |
Leading 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson Contenders
Scottie Scheffler
World number one Scottie Scheffler is once again the headline act in Texas and goes off as the clear favourite after winning this event by eight shots in 2025.
A Dallas resident and one of the most dominant players of his generation, Scheffler is a short price, underlining how strongly he is fancied to repeat.
TPC Craig Ranch suits his all‑round excellence, especially in a week where elite approach play and converting birdie chances are likely to be decisive.
If he produces anything close to last year’s level, he will fully justify favouritism and once again look the man everyone else must chase.
Si Woo Kim
Korean star Si Woo Kim is also a Dallas resident and heads the chasing pack having been installed as second favourite for his “home event”
Kim’s all‑round game and ability to go low when the putter heats up make him a natural fit for a birdie‑friendly venue like TPC Craig Ranch.
If he can keep pace early and take advantage of the scoring holes, he looks the most likely player to mount a serious challenge to Scheffler.
Jordan Spieth
Jordan Spieth will attract huge attention from Texas fans as he returns to home turf as one of the leading names in the market.
Spieth sits firmly among the most respected challengers and brings the kind of creativity and scoring upside that always makes him dangerous in low‑scoring events.
His short game remains one of the sharpest weapons in the field, and on a course where momentum can build quickly, few players are better at feeding off energy than Spieth.
If the driver behaves and he gives himself plenty of birdie looks, he has the upside to contend all the way through Sunday.
Brooks Koepka
Brooks Koepka is next in the betting and adds major‑championship pedigree to a field that is lighter on elite star power behind Scheffler.
His presence near the top of the outright board reflects both reputation and the belief that his power game can take advantage of a relatively forgiving setup.
Koepka may not always be associated with birdie‑fests, but his quality from tee to green gives him every chance of getting involved if he starts quickly.
At his current price, he stands out as one of the more dangerous alternatives to the front three in the market if he can find a putter for the week.
Michael Thorbjornsen
Michael Thorbjornsen heads to TPC Craig Ranch as one of the more eye‑catching emerging names in the field, with bookmakers starting to treat him as a genuine mid‑range contender.
His profile is built around strong tee‑to‑green numbers and plenty of modern power, which gives him the ability to keep up in what is usually a low‑scoring shootout.
On a course that rewards aggressive iron play and capitalising on birdie looks, Thorbjornsen’s willingness to attack pins should serve him well if he can keep the big misses off the card.
If the putter warms up, he has more than enough upside to get himself onto the first page of the leaderboard and threaten a breakthrough PGA Tour victory.
Ryo Hisatsune
Ryo Hisatsune arrives as a classy ball‑striker with growing experience on both sides of the Atlantic and the sort of all‑round game that tends to travel well.
Hisatsune’s strengths are clean driving and solid approach play, which should give him plenty of chances to go on birdie runs at TPC Craig Ranch if he adjusts quickly to the greens.
He is still priced a notch or two below the very front of the market, but his ceiling is high enough that a hot week could easily see him outrun those odds.
With confidence building and his game well‑suited to a birdie‑friendly layout, he looks an appealing candidate for those looking for a progressive, high‑upside name in the Byron Nelson field.
Davis Thompson
Davis Thompson is one of several players as lively options just outside the main favourites.
His aggressive style and ability to make birdies in bunches are useful traits at TPC Craig Ranch, where scores can move quickly in either direction.
Thompson still carries more volatility than some of the shorter‑priced names, but that same volatility gives him a ceiling that makes him interesting in outright markets.
If he gets into a rhythm early, he has the firepower to stay on the first page of the leaderboard all week.
Keith Mitchell
Keith Mitchell is another player to consider with his length off the tee and naturally aggressive scoring profile make him an obvious fit for a tournament that tends to reward players willing to attack.
Mitchell can be streaky, but on a venue like this that is not necessarily a negative, especially if he starts strongly and keeps the putter rolling.
At his best, he has enough scoring power to keep pace in exactly this type of shootout.
James is an avid golfer and reviews golf equipment and new gear for GolfReviewsGuide.com as well as providing the latest golf news. You will find him on a golf course wherever possible.