2021 Byron Nelson: Groups to Watch Thursday and Friday
By Tim Letcher
The PGA Tour heads to Texas this week for the 2021 Byron Nelson. Several players are using this event as a tune-up for next week’s PGA Championship.
While there’s not a ton of star power in the field, there are a number of quality players. Here’s a look at the top pairings the first two rounds of the event.
More from Pro Golf Now
- Golf Rumors: LIV set to sign Masters Champion in stunning deal
- Fantasy Golf: Grant Thornton Invitational DFS Player Selections
- Brutal return leaves Will Zalatoris looking towards 2024
- Stars You Know at World Champions Cup Starts Thursday at Concession
- Fantasy Golf: An Early Look at the 2024 Masters Tournament
Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Will Zalatoris (Thursday, 1:33 ET; Friday 8:23 ET) – A pair of native Texans highlight this group. Scheffler is still looking for his first win on tour and would love if it came in his home state. Spieth snapped a winless drought last month and has been playing outstanding golf in 2021. Zalatoris introudced himself to the world at the Masters and is looking to build on that success.
Sung Kang, Hideki Matsuyama, Jon Rahm (Thursday, 1:44 ET; Friday, 8:34 ET) – Kang may look like the outsider here, but he’s actually the defending champion of this event, having won it in 2019. Matsuyama tees it up for the first time since winning the Masters last month. And Rahm will be looking to bounce back after seeing his cuts made streak end at 22 last week in Charlotte.
Cameron Champ, Sergio Garcia, Brooks Koepka (Thursday, 8:23 ET; Friday, 1:33 ET) – Champ will try to match distance with Koepka in this one, as both are among the longest hitters on tour. Garcia was the winner here in 2016, topping Koepka in a playoff. Koepka’s game remains a mystery but he’s priming himself for next week’s PGA Championship.
Sam Burns, Bryson DeChambeau, Marc Leishman (Thursday, 8:34 ET; Friday, 1:44 ET) – Burns got his first tour win a couple of weeks ago at the Valspar. DeChambeau bounced back last week to finish strongly at the Wells Fargo and he’s always a threat to win. Leishman was the runner-up at this event in 2018 and seems to love playing in the state of Texas.
Next. 2021 Wells Fargo: Winners and Losers from Quail Hollow. dark
Harris English, Nate Lashley, Ryan Palmer (Thursday, 8:45 ET; Friday, 1:55 ET) – English has been solid all season with five Top 10s, including a win at the Sentry Tournament of Champions. Lashley has a pair of top-five showings this season, including a T5 at Pebble Beach. Palmer has made 14 consecutive cuts and would like nothing more than to win in his home state of Texas.