After some technical difficulties and weather problems in New Orleans for the Zurich Classic, it's nice to be back to breaking down a more familiar full-field tournament in the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, which takes place at TPC Craig Ranch. The tournament received a jolt of electricity when World #1 Scottie Scheffler was a surprise commit, and he's become the clear headliner for this event in 2025.
In this article, I'm ranking my top 10 players in the field this week, power-ranked according to recent form and course fit. I have carefully evaluated the field, searching for crumbs based on historical data from TPC Craig Ranch to put together a solid list of the players I think are best suited to contend and win!
Let’s dive into my Top 10 Power Rankings for the 2025 CJ Cup Byron Nelson:
Featured Promo! Save 30% on any Premium Pass using discount code NEW. Win more with our DFS, Betting and Season-Long Pass, get expert tools and advice from proven winners! GAIN ACCESSNo. 10 - Stephan Jaeger
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The approach play has been exceptional. Top-5 in SG: Approach in the field and has gained with his irons in four of his last five starts.
- Jaeger has played in this event in three consecutive seasons to the tune of T20, T11, and T38 results.
- Ranks 2nd in the field in SG: Total in Texas, mostly on the backs of his performance last season in the Lone Star state, when he slayed the Scottie Dragon in Houston.
No. 9 - Gary Woodland
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His runner-up finish at the Houston Open 4 weeks ago was one of the best stories of the season. Can he do it again in Texas?
- Woodland has shown inclings of a return to form Ballstriking, which has always been the pillar of his success.
- Aggressive player who can keep his foot on the gas in a birdie fest. Woodland made 24 birdies at the Houston Open, his most in a single tournament since 2019.
No. 8 - Tom Kim
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Kim should be ranked higher, but he's currently having his worst season as a pro. Kim only has ONE Top-30 in 2025 on the PGA Tour.
- He still flashes spike weeks with his irons, my most important stat for TPC Craig Ranch, as evidenced by gaining +9.8 on Approach at The PLAYERS.
- Texas is the home base for Tom Kim, who should find familiarity with the course conditions. He's played this tournament three straight years. T17 was his best finish in 2022.
No. 7 - Byeong Hun An
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Another aggressive player who raises his baseline in birdie-fests. An ranks 5th in the field in Birdie-or-better rate on courses with easy scoring conditions.
- T4 at this tournament last year after a T14 in 2023. He's got a great feel for this golf course.
- Plenty long OTT without a ton of trouble on this course to penalize his occasional miss. An is Top-15 in SG: OTT over the last 30 rounds.
No. 6 - Keith Mitchell
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Mitchell is one of only two players in the field who rank Top-20 in SG: OTT, SG: APP, and BOB rate.
- Finished T18 or better in both events in Texas this season.
- Mitchell ranks 3rd in my stat model, but I still have concerns about him closing the door on Sunday afternoons.
No. 5 - Si Woo Kim
- Kim played fantastically at the RBC Heritage, leading the tournament at one point, and finished T8 in his last start.
- Runner-up at this tournament in 2023, and Kim backed that up with a solid T13 last season. He gained +4 on Approach in both starts.
- Highly accurate and finds fairways at a high rate. Kim is hitting 64% of fairways in his last 20 rounds played.
No. 4 - Sungjae Im
- His T5 result at The Masters was exactly what the doctor ordered for Team Sungjae Im. He backed it up with a T11 at the RBC Heritage the following week.
- Continues to strangely struggle on Approach, but his chipping and scrambling has been world-class, gaining +16 strokes ARG in his last five starts.
- Im ranks 2nd in the field in Birdie-or-better rate on courses with easy scoring conditions this season.
No. 3 - Taylor Pendrith
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Pendrith won the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson. He shot -23 under par in his first appearance at TPC Craig Ranch last year.
- He remains dominant OTT and should be able to leverage that on this course. Pendrith ranks 2nd in SG: OTT over the last 30 rounds.
- Struggles earlier this season with the putter have dissipated. Pendrith has gained with the flat stick in three out of his last four tournaments.
No. 2 - Jordan Spieth
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For the first time in over two years, Jordan Spieth has posted three consecutive Top-20 finishes on the PGA Tour headed into this week.
- He's been phenomenal OTT. Spieth is averaging 305 yards in distance and hitting nearly 65% of fairways.
- Playing well again...and you just play Spieth in Texas.
No. 1 - Scottie Scheffler
- Despite a short-term winless drought, Scottie Scheffler has a dominant statistical profile compared to this field.
- Scheffler's iron play has been dialed in, and he ranks Top 4 in Total Driving and Birdie or Better rate.
- Similarly to Spieth, Scheffler feels right at home in Texas. He ranks #1 in SG: Total in Texas over the past two seasons and finished T5 at this event when he played it last in 2023. I feel confident that he will finally pick off a win in this tournament against what is frankly inferior competition.
Enjoy the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, and thanks for reading! Good luck, RotoBaller family!
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