The CJ Cup Byron Nelson Picks, Predictions & Odds

• The CJ Cup Byron Nelson tees off Thursday, May 21st
• Defending champion Scottie Scheffler is the massive favorite in what features a pretty weak field
• See my 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson picks, best value bets, and the odds to win the tournament

After Aaron Rai won the PGA Championship with a furious 6-under par stretch in the last ten holes, the PGA Tour heads to Texas for the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Scottie Scheffler lapped the field by eight strokes here a year ago, and he comes in as the overwhelming favorite to make it back-to-back victories at this event after his T-14th at the PGA. As of now, Rai is competing at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, but keep your eyes peeled because there’s a strong chance he declines to tee it up while he celebrates his first career major.

In order to have success at TPC Craig Ranch, you must make a ton of birdies to contend. Since this tourney moved to this course five years ago, -23 or better has been required in order to lift the trophy come Sunday. Last year, in Scheffler’s eight-shot romp, he set a tournament scoring record 31-under-par. Keep reading for my predictions and picks for this tournament that unfortunately doesn’t have a strong field.

CJ Cup Byron Nelson Odds (2026)

I’m starting my card this week with a golfer that I’ve selected many times to breakthrough on the biggest stage, but has yet to get over the finish line – Michael Thorbjornsen. On the campaign, the stud in waiting has picked off five top-25s, with his best a T-3rd at the WM Phoenix Open, where he was a shot out of a playoff. Thorbjornsen was also in the final group on the last day of the Players Championship, so he has a great deal of pedigree, despite not winning yet on the PGA Tour.

Odds as of 8:49 pm ET on Sunday, May 17th, at DraftKings. Check out the full list of DraftKings deposit methods.

Last 5 CJ Cup Byron Nelson Winners

With Scottie Scheffler clearly the massive favorite for this event, I prefer going with a bit of a longer shot to get it done. Thorbs is +3300 to win outright, which is longer odds than the top-six golfers on the board, so there’s some value on him.

CJ Cup Byron Nelson 2026 Picks & Value Bets

1. Max Greyserman +6000: Max Greyserman is long overdue for his first win on the main circuit, having racked up five runner-up finishes. He was right in mix heading into the final day of the PGA, where he was just four strokes behind. Greyserman eventually picked up a top-15, so +6000 odds seem a bit high for a player who has knocked on the door often for his maiden W.
2. Aldrich Potgieter +7600: The longest driver on tour is South African Aldrich Potgieter, and he was in contention through two rounds of the PGA before falling off on the weekend. At 21 years of age, he already has a PGA Tour title to his credit (2025 Rocket Classic), and quietly has put up four top-25s on the campaign.
3. Tony Finau +10500: I won’t sugercoat it, Tony Finau has not been playing great golf, and has failed to qualify for the year’s first two majors in the Masters and PGA Championship. He’s still been decent enough, with a trio of top-20s, and if he had been on his game, would easily be in the top-five choices to win the Byron Nelson. Still, at these odds, I’ll bite on what amounts as a heavy longshot to claim victory.
4. Blades Brown +12000: 18-year-old phenom Blades Brown has had a very solid year between the PGA Tour and the Korn Ferry Tour. At the American Express, he shot a 60, and was third at the Puerto Rico Open. Additionally, Brown had a top-ten in his latest PGA Tour event, and a runner-up and third place showing on the KFT. While it’s probably a bit much to ask him to go the distance and win, he’ll be interesting to monitor in the top 5/10/20 markets.