The PGA Tour heads back to Texas for the 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson. With the year's second major in the books, TPC Craig Ranch hosts the first of two events in the Lone Star State over the next couple of weeks.
The home of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson since 2021, TPC Craig Ranch (Par-71, 7,385 yards) has been friendly confines, yielding plenty of birdies in recent years. Scottie Scheffler tied the lowest 72-hole score in PGA Tour history at this event last year when he won at a whopping 31-under par. Prior to that, winning scores at this event have typically settled in the low to mid-20s, and while renovations took place at TPC Craig Ranch in 2025, it would be a surprise if the 2026 edition didn't follow suit.
Scheffler once again headlines the field at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson and will be joined by Jordan Spieth, Brooks Koepka, Si Woo Kim, and 2023 U.S. Open winner Wyndham Clark, to name a few. Following several Signature Events and a major over the last month, it's a significantly weaker 147-man field this week with just two of the OWGR-ranked top 25 in attendance.
The first of back-to-back events in the state of Texas, let's get into the picks and predictions for the 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson picks and predictions
Top 10 pick for the CJ Cup Byron Nelson: Jordan Spieth (+142)
Spieth has finished top 18 or better in three of his last five starts, and he will carry some momentum into the CJ Cup Byron Nelson this week following a solid showing at the PGA Championship. While the wait for the Career Grand Slam will go on for another year for Spieth, it was a solid week in Philadelphia for the three-time major champion, who carded three rounds of seventy or better en route to a T18 finish. Spieth, who ranks fourth in this week's field from tee to green over the last three months, per Data Golf, has finished T9 or better on three of his last four visits to TPC Craig Ranch.
Sleeper pick for the CJ Cup Byron Nelson w/o Scheffler: Mark Hubbard (+12000)
Ranked third in the field in strokes gained: approach over the last month, Hubbard returns to the CJ Cup Byron Nelson fresh off a runner-up finish at Myrtle Beach two weeks ago. Hubbard has made the cut at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in each of his last four starts, and he finished tied for fifth at TPC Craig Ranch just last year.
Pick to win the CJ Cup Byron Nelson w/o Scheffler: Austin Eckroat (+5900)
Runner-up at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson to eventual winner Jason Day in 2023, Eckroat would go on to win twice on the PGA Tour in 2024. He has made the cut in each of his last four starts coming into the 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson, including finishing T10 at the Valero Texas Open, T6 at the Zurich Classic, and tying for nineteenth at the Myrtle Beach Classic in his most recent start. He ranks ninth in the field from tee to green and sixth on approach over his last twenty rounds and has gained strokes with his irons in every start dating back to The American Express in January.
Pick to win the CJ Cup Byron Nelson w/o Scheffler: Davis Thompson (+3100)
A winner at the John Deere Classic in 2024, Thompson comes into the 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson showing positive signs that he could be on the verge of entering the winner's circle again real soon. Fourth at the Puerto Rico Open in March, he has finished T14 or better in each of his last three PGA Tour starts. He has struggled on two previous visits to TPC Craig Ranch, including missing the cut in his last start here in 2024, but it's a venue that should suit his well-rounded game. He ranks top twelve in the field over his last twenty rounds in strokes gained: approach, putting, and from tee to green.
All betting odds courtesy of DraftKings. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. The content in this article should not be considered betting advice. Gambling involves risk, and one should only gamble with funds that one can comfortably afford to lose. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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