The CJ Cup Byron Nelson 2026
Overview
Dates: May 21, 2026 to May 24, 2026
Location: Mckinney, Texas
Course: TPC Craig Ranch
Course Par: 71
Course Length: 7385
Prize Purse: $10300000
Last Weeks Review:
The form horses never fired last week, and what unfolded was one of the strangest tournaments of the season. In truth, close to 90% of the field misread the strategy entirely.
Before the event, Rory McIlroy openly declared he would “take driver, hit it as hard as he could, then gouge it out.” It proved a miscalculation. On a course where discipline mattered more than brute force, that approach unravelled quickly.
Instead, it was Aaron Rai — a low‑key tour professional from Wolverhampton — who delivered a tactical masterclass. While the stars swung freely, Rai throttled back, taking three‑woods off the tee, prioritising fairways, and avoiding the aggressive lines that funneled approaches into the rough. He didn’t have the length to chase the back‑edge pins, but he didn’t need it. His precision and patience won the week.
Frustratingly, while we had Rai in our parlays for a Top‑20 finish, we weren’t on him for the 150/1 outright, a painful miss given how perfectly the setup suited his game.
Preview
TPC Craig Ranch is a Tom Weiskopf design, playing as a par 71 at 7,385 yards . Historically known as a low‑scoring venue, it has produced winning totals in the 25‑under range, including Scottie Scheffler’s 31‑under victory last year — an eight‑shot win that set a tournament scoring benchmark .
However, the 2026 edition introduces a twist:
Lanny Wadkins oversaw a significant renovation, reshaping green complexes, upgrading bunkers, and re‑grassing the course to increase difficulty. Organizers hope the changes will push the winning score closer to 15‑under, though this may still be optimistic given modern scoring trends .
Key Course Features
Greens: Bentgrass, average size 6,778 sq. ft.
Bunkers: 83 strategically placed bunkers
Water: In play on 13 holes
Par‑3s: Four total, three over 200 yards — historically among the toughest holes on the course
Par‑4s: Eleven total, with six measuring 450+ yards, including most of the back nine
Par‑5s: Three, all ranking among the easiest scoring opportunities with eagle rates above 2.5%
The setup rewards elite tee‑to‑green play, strong long‑iron proximity, and the ability to take advantage of the par‑5s while surviving the long par‑4s.
Purse Size
The 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson purse is $10.3 million, with a winner’s share of $1.85 million .
Field Overview
The field features 145 players, with a cut to the top 65 and ties after 36 holes .
Headliners
Scottie Scheffler — defending champion, world No. 1, and overwhelming betting favorite at +170, one of the shortest odds seen in a full‑field event in years .
Si Woo Kim — elite tee‑to‑green performer, second in the field in ball‑striking over the last three months .
Jordan Spieth — Dallas native and perennial fan favorite.
Brooks Koepka — playing his third straight event, grinding for a signature‑event berth despite inconsistent putting .
Rising talents: Pierceson Coody, Michael Thorbjornsen, Rasmus Højgaard, Taylor Pendrith, and others .
Tournament Outlook
With renovations intended to toughen the course, the 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson may play firmer and more demanding than in previous years. Still, the combination of wide fairways, reachable par‑5s, and receptive greens suggests scoring will remain low unless weather intervenes.
Players Best Suited to TPC Craig Ranch
Elite ball‑strikers (Scheffler, Si Woo Kim, Koepka)
Aggressive scorers who capitalize on par‑5s
Players strong from 175+ yards, given the long‑iron demands
Texans and players familiar with Zoysia fairways and wind‑affected conditions
Expect another week where birdie streaks and par‑5 dominance define the leaderboard — unless the Wadkins redesign proves more punishing than expected.
Headline pick: Jordan Spieth — 5 units win @ +1800, 5 units Top 5 @ +350