2026 CJ CUP Byron Nelson: PGA Betting and Fantasy Preview - Key Stats, Course Breakdown, Tournament Trends, TV Times, and More

May 19, 2026

2026 CJ CUP Byron Nelson betting and fantasy golf preview with key stats, TPC Craig Ranch course breakdown, field analysis, and TV times for this week’s PGA Tour event.

The PGA TOUR heads to McKinney, Texas, this week for THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson. The event is held at TPC Craig Ranch and features a 147-player field with a cut after 36 holes.

Defending champion and World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler headlines the field this week. Outside of Scheffler, the field lacks much top-end talent, which makes this tournament especially interesting from a betting perspective. Do you back the defending champion and best player in the world, or take a shot on several longshots to pull off the upset?

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CJ CUP Byron Nelson - Tournament Information

• Dates: May 21st– May 24th, 2026
• Location: McKinney, Texas, United States
• Course: TPC Craig Ranch
• Course Type: Parkland
• Par: 71 (4x 3’s / 11x 4’s / 3x 5’s)
• Length: 7,385 yards
• Format: 72-hole stroke play
• Greens:  777 Bentgrass .100”
• Fairways: Stadium Zoysia
• Rough: TifTuf Bermuda 3.25”
• Bunkers: 83
• Water Hazard(s): 4 (In-Play on 8 Holes)
• Average Green Size: 6,778 sq. ft.
• Stimpmeter: 11.5 ft.
• Purse/ Winner: $10,300,000/$1,854,000
• FedEx Cup Points: 500
• Field: 147 Players
• Cut: Top 65 and Ties – 36 Holes
• Playoff Format: Sudden-Death (18 (repeated): hole location change for 3rd time)
• Course Scoring Average:
  • 2025: 69.13 (-1.87), Rank 37 of 50
  • 2024: 68.50 (-2.50), Rank 45 of 51
  • 2023: 68.91 (-2.09), Rank 44 of 49
• Historic Cut Line:
  • 2025: -5
  • 2024: -6
  • 2023: -4

CJ CUP Byron Nelson - Course Information

Course Architect:

• Course Architect: Tom Weiskopf (2004)
• Recent Renovations: Lanny Wadkins (2024-2025)

Comparable Courses:

• Colonial Country Club – Charles Schwab Challenge
• TPC Scottsdale (Stadium Course) – WM Phoenix Open
• Vidanta Vallarta – Mexico Open at Vidanta

Comparable Location (McKinney, Texas):

• TPC San Antonio – San Antonio, Texas – Valero Texas Open
• Memorial Park Golf Course – Houston, Texas – Texas Children’s Houston Open
• Colonial Country Club – Fort Worth, Texas – Charles Schwab Challenge

Designer Link (Tom Weiskopf):

• TPC Scottsdale (Stadium Course) – Tom Weiskopf (1986) – WM Phoenix Open

Comparable Yardage ( 7,385 Yards):

• The Riviera Country Club – 7,383 Yards – The Genesis Invitational
• TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course) – 7,389 Yards – RBC Canadian Open

Comparable Greens (Bentgrass):

• Torrey Pines Golf Course (North) – Bentgrass .100″ – Farmers Insurance Open
• Augusta National Golf Club – Bentgrass .125” – Masters Tournament
• Colonial Country Club – 007XL bentgrass .100” – Charles Schwab Challenge
• Muirfield Village Golf Club – Bentgrass .090” – the Memorial Tournament
• TPC Deere Run – L-93 Bentgrass .100” – John Deere Classic
• ISCO Championship – A1/A4 bentgrass .110” – Hurstbourne Country Club
• TPC Twin Cities – Bentgrass .110” – 3M Open
• Yokohama Country Club (West Course) – Bentgrass – Baycurrent Classic
• Black Desert Resort – 007XL Bentgrass .120” – Black Desert Championship

Comparable Average Green Size (3,700 sq. ft.):

• Quail Hollow Club – 6,578 sq. ft. – Truist Championship

CJ CUP Byron Nelson - TV Information (ET)

• Round 1: Thursday, May 21st, 2026
  • ESPN + (PGA TOUR Live) – 7:45 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Golf Channel – 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Round 2: Friday, May 22nd, 2026
  • ESPN + (PGA TOUR Live) – 7:45 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Golf Channel – 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Round 3: Saturday, May 23rd, 2026
  • ESPN + (PGA TOUR Live) – 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
  • Golf Channel – 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
  • CBS – 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• Round 4: Sunday, May 24th, 2026
  • ESPN + (PGA TOUR Live) – 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
  • Golf Channel – 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
  • CBS – 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

CJ CUP Byron Nelson - Weather

CJ CUP Byron Nelson - Course/Tournament History

The CJ CUP Byron Nelson is one of the PGA TOUR’s longest-running events, originally founded in 1944 as the Texas Victory Open before being renamed in honor of legendary golfer Byron Nelson in 1968. Over the years, the tournament has been played at several notable Texas venues, including Lakewood Country Club, Preston Trail Golf Club, and TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas. Since 2021, the event has been hosted at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas.

Designed by Tom Weiskopf and opened in 2004, TPC Craig Ranch is known for its wide fairways, large greens, and scoring-friendly setup that typically produces birdie-heavy tournaments. While the course allows players to be aggressive off the tee, water hazards, subtle elevation changes, and strategic approach angles still reward strong course management and precise iron play.

Ahead of the 2025 season, TPC Craig Ranch underwent a $22 million renovation led by Lanny Wadkins, designed to create a more demanding test for PGA TOUR players. The renovation included smaller and reshaped greens, tighter bunkering, updated turf conditions, and strategic changes to several holes to place a greater emphasis on precision and approach play. The course also received upgraded drainage and irrigation systems to improve overall conditioning and year-round consistency.

In 2025, TPC Craig Ranch played as a 7,569-yard par 71. For 2026, the course will play significantly shorter on the scorecard at a par 71 measuring 7,385 yards.

Previous Tournament Venues:

Previous Tournament Names:

Tournament Records:

• Most Wins at Event:
  • 4 – Tom Watson (1975, 1978, 1979, 1980)

• 72-Hole Record:
  • 253, Scottie Scheffler (2025 at TPC Craig Ranch)

• 18-Hole Record:
  • 60, Sam Snead (second round, 1957 at Glen Lake Country Club), Arron Oberholser (second round, 2006 at Cottonwood Valley GC), Keegan Bradley (first round, 2013 at TPC Four Seasons), Sebastián Muñoz (first round, 2022 at TPC Craig Ranch), S.Y. Noh (first round, 2023 at TPC Craig Ranch)

Course Records:

• 72-Hole Record (TPC Craig Ranch):
  • 253, Scottie Scheffler (2025)

• 18-Hole Record (TPC Craig Ranch):
  • 60, Sebastián Muñoz (first round, 2022), S.Y. Noh (first round, 2023)

CJ CUP Byron Nelson - Course Guide/ Scorecard

Originally designed by Tom Weiskopf in 2004, TPC Craig Ranch features a par-71 layout with four par-3s, eleven par-4s, and three par-5s. Recently, Lanny Wadkins completed a major renovation of the course aimed at creating a more demanding test for PGA TOUR players through smaller greens, tighter bunkering, and strategic hole redesigns.

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CJ CUP Byron Nelson - Notable Par 3s

The four Par 3s range between 135 yards and 230 yards. Last year, all of the par 3s had a scoring average under par except for Hole No. 7.

Hole 4 | Par 3 | 215 Yards

This green is modified "Biarritz" made famous by C.B. McDonald on this 215-yard par three. Depending on whether the pin is located in the front or of the ear of the Biarritz, it could play 3 clubs or more difference. The entire left side of the green is guarded by one of the most deep and menancing bunkers of the course, as well as a smallish pot-bunker on the front right.

Hole 15 | Par 3 | 205 Yards

At 205 yards, this par three will often play straight downwind. A lake edges the front and left of the green. Two new bunkers have been placed left of the green and front right. The best miss here is right of the green in the low-mown approach area.

CJ CUP Byron Nelson - Notable Par 4s

There are eleven Par 4s at TPC Craig Ranch, with the majority of those holes ranging between 450 and 500 yards. No. 14 is the shortest, listed at 320 yards, with the longest being No. 8, playing 500 yards. In terms of scoring average, the toughest par 4 on the course last year was the 3rd hole.

Hole 6 | Par 4 | 375 Yards

This short, 365-yard par four is one of the most unique drive and pitch par fours you'll ever play. The tee shot will ask you to decide your aptitude for risk, with a large bunker left and right of the landing area. The green is Lanny's vision of a "Lion's mouth" green with a shasm bunker that bisects the front and right flanges of the green.

Hole 14 | Par 4 | 320 Yards

This risk-reward, drivable par four measuring 350 yards will require you to make a decision off of the tee. The green has been adjusted closer to the lake, and an entirely new bunker complex edges the right side of the fairway and green. Any approach shots hit long will find either a small pot-bunker or a low mown approach area that will require a delicate short game for a chance to save par.

CJ CUP Byron Nelson - Notable Par 5s

There are three Par 5s on the course: No. 5, No. 9, and No. 12. Hole No. 9 was the easiest hole on the course last year, with a scoring average of 0.632 below par.

Hole 5 | Par 5 | 640 Yards 

This long par five now tips out at 645 yards, but often plays downwind. Two bunkers skirt the right side of the landing area alongside Rowlett Creek. A good drive will allow the decision of how to navigate "Hell's Full Acre" on your second shot, which is the largest waste bunker on the course. This is a true three-shot par five for all but the longest hitters. The perched green breaks off into three directions with a "Maxwell Mound" in the center of the green.

Hole 9 | Par 5 | 545 Yards

A true risk-reward dogleg left par 5 measuring 545 yards may be reachable for those challenging Rowlett Creel, which skirts the left side of the landing area. Three new fairway bunkers guard the right side of the landing area and will force a layup for anyone unlucky enough to be in them. The green falls hard from left to right and has been adjusted right closer to Rowlett Creek. The best miss here is short of the green, as any miss left of the green will require a master-class short game for an up-and-down.

Featured/ Signature Hole(s): 14

CJ CUP Byron Nelson - Key Statistics

Strokes Gained: Off the Tee

Strokes Gained: Approach

Strokes Gained: Putting (Bentgrass)

Driving Distance Gained

Birdies or Better Gained

Par 3 Scoring: 200-225 Yards

Par 4 Scoring: 450-500 Yards

Par 5 Scoring

Birdie or Better %

Proximity Gained: 200+ Yards

Comparable Courses and Event History

CJ CUP Byron Nelson - The Field

The 2026 CJ CUP Byron Nelson features a 147-player field and includes just three players ranked inside the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking. Defending champion and World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler headlines the field this week. Scheffler has one win this season, which came back in January at the American Express, but he has come close to adding another title with three runner-up finishes in his last four starts.

Basis of qualification for each entrant this week:

• Winner - PGA/U.S. Open Championship
• Tournament Winner in Past Two Seasons
• Past Champion of Respective Event
• Top 70 on Prior Years FedExCup Points List
• Top 100 on prior season FedExCup Fall Points List
• Sponsors Exemptions - Unrestricted
• PGA Section Champion\Player of the Year
• Open Qualifying
• Leading 10 players (not otherwise exempt) on DP World Tour
• Top 20 Prior Season Korn Ferry Tour Points List
• Top 5 from PGA TOUR Q-School
• PGA TOUR University
• Byron Nelson Collegiate Golf Award Winner
• Top 10 and Ties from the Previous Event
• Top 100 (Medical)
• 101-110 prior season FedExCup Fall Points List
• Reorder for 111-125/300 Career Cuts
• Reorder Category - Cat. 37 thru 44
• 126-150 on FedExCup Fall Points List
• Past Champions & Veteran Members Beyond 150 on the FedEx Cup Fall

Previous Winners in the Field (Event):

• Scottie Scheffler – 2025
• Taylor Pendrith – 2024
• Kyoung-Hoon Lee – 2022, 2021
• Aaron Wise – 2018
• Billy Horschel – 2017

Debutants in the Field:

• A.J. Ewart, Adam Headley, Adrien Saddier, Blades Brown, Chandler Blanchet, Daniel Brown, David Ford, Davis Chatfield, Gordon Sargent, Jackson Buchanan, John Parry, John VanDerLaan, Johnny Keefer, Jordan L Smith, Keita Nakajima, Kensei Hirata, Li Haotong, Luke Clanton, Marcelo Rozo, Matthieu Pavon, Michael Brennan, Neal Shipley, Pontus Nyholm, Preston Stout, Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, Steven Fisk, William Sides, Yongjun Bae, and Zachary Bauchou.

Exemptions:

• Yongjun Bae: Sponsor Exemptions - Unrestricted
• Mason Howell: Sponsor Exemptions - Unrestricted
• William Sides: Sponsor Exemptions - Unrestricted
• Preston Stout: Sponsor Exemptions - Unrestricted

Notable Withdraws/ Changes:

• Nicolai Højgaard WD / Noah Goodwin IN
• Marco Penge WD / Cameron Champ IN
• Michael Kim WD / Will Gordon IN
• Webb Simpson WD / Trey Mullinax IN
• Trey Mullinax WD / Luke List IN
• Aldrich Potgieter WD/ Jonathan Byrd IN
• Andrew Putnam WD / Austin Cook IN
• Aaron Rai WD / S.Y. Noh IN
• Scott Piercy IN
• Ryan Palmer IN
• Mason Howell (Sponsor exemption)
• David Ford WD / Fabian Gomez IN

CJ CUP Byron Nelson - The Odds

Here’s a breakdown of the top players in the field for this year’s CJ CUP Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch, ranked by current betting odds (via DraftKings). The table below details each player’s five most recent finishes on the PGA Tour/ DP World Tour and their last result at THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson. My top plays of the week are included in the PGA Premium package.

CJ CUP Byron Nelson - Recent Horses for Courses

CJ CUP Byron Nelson - Recent Donkeys for Courses

CJ CUP Byron Nelson - Previous Winners' Scores, Prices, and Strokes Gained (Rank at Tournament)

• 2025: Scottie Scheffler (-31)
  • Price: 11-4

• 2024: Taylor Pendrith (-23)
  • Price: 90-1

• 2023: Jason Day (-23)
  •  Price: 18-1

• 2022: K.H. Lee (-26)
  • Price: 125-1

• 2021: K.H. Lee (-25)
  • Price: 200-1

CJ CUP Byron Nelson - Previous Winners Incoming Form (Last 5 Starts)

• 2025: Scottie Scheffler
  • T8 – RBC Heritage (PGA)
  • 4 – Masters Tournament (MAJ)
  • T2 – Texas Children’s Houston Open (PGA)
  • T20 – THE PLAYERS Championship (PGA)
  • T11 – Arnold Palmer Invitational (PGA)
• 2024: Taylor Pendrith
  • T11 – Zurich Classic of New Orleans (PGA)
  • T11 – Corales Puntacana Championship (PGA)
  • MC – Valero Texas Open (PGA)
  • T36 – Texas Children’s Houston Open (PGA)
  • MC – Valspar Championship (PGA)
• 2023: Jason Day
  • MC – Wells Fargo Championship (PGA)
  • T39 – Masters Tournament (MAJ)
  • T5 – WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play (PGA)
  • T19 – THE PLAYERS Championship (PGA)
  • T10 – Arnold Palmer Invitational (PGA)
• 2022: K.H. Lee
  • T25 – Wells Fargo Championship (PGA)
  • MC – RBC Heritage (PGA)
  • MC – The Masters (PGA)
  • MC – Valero Texas Open (PGA)
  • T55 – THE PLAYERS Championship (PGA)
• 2021: K.H. Lee
  • T58 – Wells Fargo Championship (PGA)
  • T29 – Valspar Championship (PGA)
  • T23 – Zurich Classic of New Orleans (PGA)
  • T56 – RBC Heritage (PGA)
  • T23 – Valero Texas Open (PGA)

CJ CUP Byron Nelson - Previous Winners' Finishes at Event

2025: Scottie Scheffler

2024: Taylor Pendrith

Tournament Debut

2023: Jason Day

2022: K.H. Lee

2021: K.H. Lee

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