If you thought the PGA Championship looked hard for the players, just imagine how difficult it was for the gamblers. What a grueling experience.
We only kid. But seriously, that was a grind, but that won’t stop us from getting right back on the horse at TPC Craig Ranch, where we promise there will be a lot more birdies. If that’s what you’re into, of course.
Advertisement
RELATED: CJ Cup Byron Nelson picks 2026: Our DFS expert’s bold prediction for Jordan Spieth
The Golf Digest betting panel is comprised of Pat Mayo of Underdog/Mayo Media Network, Andy Lack of the Inside Sports Network, Ryan Noonan of Betsperts, your two authors and Keith Stewart, the CEO of Read The Line.
Scroll down for our complete betting analysis of the 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson:
CJ Cup Byron Nelson picks 2026: Our Experts’ Outright Predictions
Pat Mayo, Underdog/Fantasy National, Mayo Media Network analyst: Michael Brennan (66-1, BetRivers) — Brennan is almost an auto bet at any lower quality field event once he clears +5000. Not that he’ll necessarily play well (most times he won’t), but he has the most repeatable, elite skill in golf: Driving the golf ball. Brennan’s combination of distance and accuracy isn’t found often. And he even did us a solid by imploding in the final round at the PGA Championship, pushing his name down the betting board this week. No, he’s not likely to beat Scheffler or even most in the field, but you’re going to get a week (like when he won in Utah) where he hits his irons decently, rides a hot putter, and wins by a touchdown.
Advertisement
Keith Stewart, PGA, Read The Line: Jordan Spieth (+1750, DraftKings) — In four starts at TPC Craig Ranch, Jordan Spieth has finished T-9, second, MC and fourth. I guess Spieth likes sleeping in his own bed. A top 20 at the PGA Championship and a brief lead in Miami. Spieth has seven top 25s in 13 starts this season. Those results still seem to be missing a piece of Spieth’s game. In 2026, the irons have been great at times. The driver has been excellent recently, and nobody is better with a wedge. If Jordan wins again, the most likely spot is a course where he is extremely comfortable, and in a region he knows infinitely well.
Ryan Noonan, Content Manager 4for4/Betsperts: Michael Brennan, without Scottie Scheffler market (40-1, FanDuel) — I’m avoiding Scottie at all costs this week (other than Scheffler to win here/Cameron Young to win at Shinnecock parlays), so I’m swimming in the “Without Scheffler” markets. Over the past 12 months, against weaker fields with easier-than-average scoring conditions, no one has gained two or more strokes ball-striking at a higher clip than Brennan’s 41.2 percent. His length helps off the tee, but it also shows up with his ability to give himself scoring looks from 200-plus yards out, which is key this week at TPC Craig Ranch. Brennan ranks seventh in the field over the past 12 months with 9.4 percent of his approaches from 200-plus yards out resulting in a birdie or better looks inside 15 feet. If he can putt like he did last time he was in Texas (+0.92 strokes per round in Houston), we might have a live one here. Stephen Hennessey, Golf Digest managing editor: Ryo Hisatsune (47-1, DraftKings) — I’m going to keep throwing cash at Ryo Hisatsune—the books don’t give him any respect. He’s one of the most consistent players on tour this year, and in a weak field, he should be more like 35-1. Christopher Powers, Golf Digest senior writer: Brooks Koepka (25-1, DraftKings) — Back at the Players Championship, I remember talking to the boys from datagolf, and they both told me then that Brooks was comin’. If they gave out wins for ball-striking, they would have been spot on with that prediction. Unfortunately, you can’t win with an ice-cold putter, but that can flip at any moment, and I’ll be damned if I miss out on the week it does. This week is as good of a time as ever in the comfy confines of Craig Ranch, where the greens will be child’s play compared to Aronimink. Andy Lack, Inside Sports Network: Ryo Hisatsune (47-1, DraftKings) — I’ve been on Ryo Hisatsune quite a bit this year, and he is coming off a 35th-place finish at the PGA Championship where he gained three strokes off the tee and 2.3 strokes on approach. Hisatsune also has a 13th-place finish at TPC Craig Ranch.
Past results: We have our FOURTH winner of 2026, and our first stretch of back-to-back winners. Ryan Noonan and Stephen Hennessey both correctly picked Cameron Young to win the Cadillac Championship at +1250, giving Noonan his third win of 2026 (and his second in a row with the Fitzpatrick bros. at 12-1 at Zurich) and Hennessey his second, his first coming at the Farmers (Justin Rose 60-1). Noonan also nailed Nico Echavarria’s victory at the Cognizant at 60-1. Hop on the train while you can.
Advertisement
CJ Cup Byron Nelson picks 2026: Sleepers/Dark Horses Who Could Win
Mayo: Austin Eckroat (92-1, DraftKings) — The runner-up to Jason Day here in 2024, Austin 316 is back to playing quality golf after a career dip. While playing sparingly because of the schedule, Eckroat’s posted consecutive Top 20s in which his irons and short game have started to surge. The driver isn’t all the way back to previous elite accuracy levels, but that’s not too much of a concern at Craig Ranch. Stewart: Eric Cole (86-1, DraftKings) — In his last three events, Eric Cole has finished T-14, T-6, and T-6 at Myrtle Beach. Cole’s an incredible iron player and putter. In two starts at TPC Craig Ranch, Eric has finished T-23 and T-5. Eric can score, and on a course with little pressure off the tee, he can just get it in play. The approach, proximity, and putter take over. Eighth in the field for birdie or better percentage, Cole has gained an average of 8.4 strokes combined with his flat stick and irons over his last two starts. Noonan: Beau Hossler, without Scottie Scheffler market (62-1, DraftKings) — A “life-altering” ayahuasca retreat in Costa Rica led Beau Hossler to start a coffee business, and I can’t tell you how in I am on that. I think we’d all benefit from responsibly ingested psychedelics every once in a while, and I’m pro all things coffee, so this is a win-win situation. What was almost a win-win situation was Beau Hossler’s last start in Myrtle Beach, where he finished T-3 with a 64 on moving day, tying for the low round of the tournament. His game is not as consistent as it was back in 2023, when he posted 11 top 20s in 34 starts, but I like the former Texas Longhorn standout at 62-1 in the “Without Scheffler” market this week. Hennessey, Golf Digest: Max Greyserman (66-1, DraftKings) — Greyserman’s performance at the PGA really impressed me. Usually he needs a venue where driving accuracy isn’t important. Despite his tendency to be wild off the tee, and all that thick rough, he finished T-14 at Aronimink. Now he gets a much better field and a much better course fit, with a ton of confidence looking for his first PGA Tour win. Powers, Golf Digest: Max Greyserman (66-1, DraftKings) — Greyserman has finally gotten right after a brutal stretch of four missed cuts in a row, gaining strokes on approach and off the tee in three straight. His T-14 at Aronimink, his best finish in a major, is the ideal confidence-booster coming into this birdiefest. Lack: Tom Kim (72-1, DraftKings) — Tom Kim has been quietly playing some much better golf of late. He is coming off a sixth-place finish at Myrtle Beach where he gained 2.4 strokes off the tee and 6.6 strokes on approach. Kim is also a Dallas resident with some solid experience at TPC Craig Ranch. RELATED: Former LIV golfer explains why he left in the middle of playoff for U.S. Open alternate spot
CJ Cup Byron Nelson picks 2026: Players We’re Fading
Mayo: Si Woo Kim (16-1, FanDuel) — I just don’t think he can make enough putts to get around -25. Stewart: Brooks Koepka (25-1, FanDuel) — Brooks Koepka was slowly losing his mind on the greens at Aronimink last week. He started the tournament with a new putter, and it didn’t help. The lack of putter confidence affected his approach as he started to lose significant strokes with his irons by firing at ridiculous pins. The tee-to-green will be there in Dallas. I’m just not sure what flat stick will be there as well. Noonan: Brooks Koepka (25-1, FanDuel) — Brooks has insane ball-striking metrics right now, but can he hole enough putts to keep up this week? I’m not so sure, and the price is way too expensive to pay to find out. Hennessey, Golf Digest: Brooks Koepka (25-1, FanDuel) — I’d love to see him win, but for someone who has struggled with the putter this year, a birdie-fest doesn’t feel like the place to back Brooks. Powers, Golf Digest: Jordan Spieth (14-1, Bet365) — I get his name is Jordan Spieth, and this is a Texas event he’s fared well in, but this still still a crazy price for a guy who has been just … fine? I know the numbers are solid, but he does not have a top-10 finish this year. Lack: Keith Mitchell (37-1, DraftKings) — I understand Keith Mitchell’s driving ability, but he is consistently underpriced in the market and really struggles to contend on a consistent basis. Even in this field, there are multiple players farther down the board than Mitchell that are more sound betting options.
Advertisement
CJ Cup Byron Nelson picks 2026: Matchups
Mayo: Stephan Jaeger (+110) over Christiaan Bezuidenhout (Coolbet) — Bez rates out well, but Jaeger has performed excellently at this the of driving challenge over the past few years. If he can be round field average in putting, he’ll cruise. Stewart: Christiaan Bezuidenhout (+110) over Sungjae Im (Bet365) — TPC Craig Ranch gives Christiaan Bezuidenhout a little room for his errant driver. With less pressure off the tee, approach acumen and the putter will take care of the rest. Sungjae Im has serious issues with his iron game. Im has lost strokes with his irons in six straight events and is ranked fiftieth in the field on approach. I love the positive odds on this 72-hole H2H. Noonan: Chandler Blanchet (-115) over Ben Kohles (BetOnline) — Blanchet won twice on the Korn Ferry Tour last season, including the Korn Ferry Tour Championship at Pete Dye’s French Lick Resort, which, like TPC Craig Ranch, features bentgrass greens. Last July, Blanchet won the Price Cutter Championship at Highland Spring CC in Missouri, shooting 27-under after firing back-to-back 62s on Thursday and Friday. Highland Spring CC features not only bentgrass greens but also zoysia grass fairways, a new addition here in 2026 at TPC Craig Ranch. Hennessey, Golf Digest: Michael Thorbjornsen (-128) over Wyndham Clark (DraftKings) — I’ll gladly bet against the inconsistent Clark in this matchup—I think Thorbjornsen’s floor and ceiling are both higher than Clark’s. Powers, Golf Digest: Blades Brown (-104) over Doug Ghim (DraftKings) — Blades is seriously undervalued here, especially as a guy who has been raking on the Korn Ferry Tour and making the most of his limited PGA Tour starts in 2026. In his most recent tour start, he finished seven spots higher than Ghim in Myrtle, and was better in nearly every strokes-gained area. Lack: Taylor Moore (-135) over Kris Ventura (Southpoint) — Taylor Moore is one of my favorite long shots of the week, and he is coming off an excellent ball-striking performance at Myrtle Beach where he gained 3.1 strokes off the tee and 2.6 strokes on approach. Ventura, on the other hand, is a far more inconsistent ball-striker. Matchup Results from the PGA Championship: Stewart: 1 for 1 (Reed (-110) over Spieth); Powers: 1 for 1 (Koepka (+128) over DeChambeau); Lack: 1 for 1 (Fowler (-140) over Bhatia); Mayo: 1 for 1 (Bhatia (+120) over Scott); Hennessey: PUSH (Burns (-125) over Matsuyama); Noonan: 0 for 1 Matchup Results from the 2026 season (Wins-Losses-Pushes): Stewart: 12-2-2 (up 8.7 units); Powers: 12-6-0 (up 4.97 units); Lack: 9-8-1 (down 0.79 units); Noonan: 8-9-1 (down 2.25 units); Mayo: 7-10-1 (down 2.49 units) Hennessey: 7-10-1 (down 3.6 units)
RELATED:Â CJ Cup Byron Nelson 2026: Why Brooks Koepka should thrive in Texas
CJ Cup Byron Nelson picks 2026: Top 10s
Mayo: Johnny Keefer (+900, FanDuel) — Ball-striking savant who dominated these sorts of courses while winning the Korn Ferry Tour a year ago. The putter has been ice cold but popped for a T-3 at a similar “hit it wherever you like off the tee” course in Texas earlier this year at the Houston Open.
Advertisement
Stewart: Taylor Pendrith (+435, DraftKings) — The 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson winner, Taylor Pendrith, ranks fourth off the tee, seventh on approach, and 22nd putting in this field. Pendrith’s ball-striking has been good this spring, but the putter needed serious help. Suddenly, Taylor hits Bentgrass, and the blade goes positive. TPC Craig Ranch is another Bentgrass course and one where he is extremely comfortable. I’ll take the 10 places for Pendrith, who also needs to secure a roster spot on the Presidents Cup team. Noonan: Blades Brown (+650, FanDuel) — The 18-year-old finished T-9 two weeks ago at Myrtle Beach, his fourth top 10 or better finish in his past eight starts between the PGA and Korn Ferry Tours. His second-round 12-under 60 back at The American Express back in January was insanely impressive. While his final round 74 pushed him down the leaderboard, I’m sure he’d tell you how much he learned from that final round experience, paired with two of this week’s favorites, Scottie Scheffler and Si Woo Kim. Hennessey, Golf Digest: Max Greyserman (+405, DraftKings) — Nice numbers all around on Greyserman this week. Powers, Golf Digest: Ryo Hisatsune (+380, FanDuel) — Some good flashes from Ryo last week at Aronimink. Last time in Texas, he tied for eighth at Valero. His time is coming. Lack: Doug Ghim (+700, FanDuel) — While I have waning confidence in Doug Ghim’s ability to make enough putts to win a golf tournament, Ghim’s ball-striking ability should guide him into a solid finish this week at TPC Craig Ranch. He gained 3.9 strokes off the tee en route to a top-20 finish at Myrtle Beach in his last start. Top-10 results from the PGA Championship: Powers: 1 for 1 (Patrick Reed +650); Stewart: 1 for 1 (Justin Thomas +500); Noonan: 1 for 1 (Rory McIlroy +120); Everybody else: 0 for 1 Top-10 results from the 2026 season: Powers: 6 for 18 (up 11.25 units); Mayo: 5 for 18 (up 8.15 units); Noonan: 5 for 18 (up 1.5 units); Stewart: 5 for 18 (up 3.85 units); Lack: 3 for 18 (down 5.65 units); Hennessey: 2 for 18 (down 9.65 units) About our experts Pat Mayo is an award-winning video host and producer of long and short-form content, and the host of The Pat Mayo Experience daily talk show. Mayo helped create the golf stats and research website Fantasy National along with the Race for the Mayo Cup One and Done contest. Mayo won the 2022 Fantasy Sports Writing Association Daily Fantasy Writer of the Year and is a finalist for three FSWA Awards in 2023 (Best Podcast, Daily Fantasy Writer of the Year, Golf Writer of the Year). His 27 FSWA nominations lead all writers this decade and are second-most all-time. Follow him on Twitter: @ThePME. Keith Stewart is a five-time award-winning PGA professional, a betting contributor and content partner with Golf Digest. Stewart is a co-founder of Read The Line, the premier on-site live golf betting insights service covering the PGA Tour, LPGA and TGL. Subscribe to Read The Line’s weekly newsletter for the industry’s best betting narratives. Follow him on Twitter @readtheline_. Ryan Noonan is the Betting Content Manager for 4for4 and Betsperts Golf, writing articles and hosting multiple shows under the Betsperts Group umbrella, including Move The Line and our Betsperts Golf Betting Show. Find him on Twitter: @RyNoonan. Andy Lack is a PGA Tour writer and podcaster from New York City who now resides in Los Angeles. Andy is the founder and CEO of Inside Sports Network, a website devoted to the predictive quality of advanced analytics and golf course architecture. He came to Golf Digest’s betting panel after previously writing for Run Pure Sports, RickRunGood.com, the Score and GolfWRX. In his free time, Andy can likely be found on a golf course. Follow him on Twitter: @adplacksports.