2025 THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson Preview and Free Picks

The PGA Tour returns to Texas with THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson, taking place from May 1 to 4 and featuring some of the best golfers in the world.

The tournament will be held at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas—a 7,468-yard, par-72 course with 156 golfers competing. It is one of only two tournaments named after a professional golfer. Byron Nelson was the first champion back in 1944 when it was known as the Texas Victory Open.

The most recent winner was Canadian Taylor Pendrith, who finished with 261 strokes, tying the record set by four other golfers. Tom Watson is the tournament’s most successful player, having won it four times, including three consecutive victories.

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2025 THE CJ Cup Byron Nelson Top Contenders

This tournament features a mix of top-tier players and others still looking to make a name for themselves—and leading the first group is Scottie Scheffler. Although he wasn’t born in Texas, the American moved there at a young age, making him a local favorite. He had an outstanding 2024, but things haven’t gone as well in 2025.

He hasn’t won any of the eight tournaments he’s played this year, though his form is improving.He has finished in the top 10 in his last three starts, including a fourth place at the Masters and a runner-up finish at the Texas Children’s Houston Open. His best performance in this tournament came in 2023 when he finished fifth.

Next on the list is another local: Jordan Spieth. The 31-year-old hasn’t won a title since the 2022 RBC Heritage, but he remains one of the most experienced players in the field.

He has played this tournament 12 times, finishing as runner-up in 2022—just one shot behind Lee Kyoung-hoon. In 2025, he has competed in nine events, missing the cut just once and posting two top-10 finishes, with his best result being fourth at the WM Phoenix Open.

Third on this list is Sung-Jae Im, the second-highest-ranked player in the tournament. The South Korean has two PGA Tour wins, the most recent in 2021. This year, he has recorded three top-5 finishes, including a third place at The Sentry.

He also had an impressive performance at the Masters, finishing fifth, and came in 11th at last week’s RBC Heritage—arriving in Texas in solid form.

2025 THE CJ Cup Byron Nelson Outside picks

We have to include the defending champion on this list. Taylor Pendrith is chasing his second PGA Tour title as he competes in his 99th tournament.This year, he has earned three top-10 finishes, with his best result being a fifth place at the Texas Children’s Houston Open. However, his recent performances haven’t been as strong—he missed the cut at the Masters and finished 42nd at the RBC Heritage.

Sam Burns is another golfer aiming to get back to winning ways. The 28-year-old American has five PGA Tour titles, but his last came at the 2023 World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play. He opened 2025 with an eighth-place finish at The Sentry but hasn’t broken into the top 10 since.

Lastly, South Korea’s An Byeong-hun is still in search of his first PGA Tour title. He has played in 213 PGA Tour events, with his best result being five runner-up finishes. His 2025 season has been underwhelming so far, with an eighth place at the Arnold Palmer Invitational being his only top-10 finish. He came 21st at the Masters and then 38th at the RBC Heritage.

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Bolsa de premios

Este Gira de la PGA event features a total purse of $9.9 million. The champion will take home a prize of $1,782,000. Additionally, the winner will earn 500 FedEx Cup points.