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It’s the time of year when the PGA Tour pays homage to one of the greats of the game. Texan Byron Nelson, who once won 11 tournaments in a row (18 in total) in 1945, lent this name to what is now the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, It was the first tourney named after a golfer. It is played, beginning Thursday, at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, outside of Dallas. Nelson ended with 52 wins on tour, including five majors. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974.
The event began as the Dallas Open in 1926. Nelson himself won the then-Victory Open by 10 shots. It was christened after him in 1968.
Jason Day is the defending champion of this event, having defeated Si Woo Kim and Austin Eckroat by a shot at -23. The course (7,414 yards) plays at par 71, but that’s just a number compared to what it’s going to take to see the leaderboard.
Do your homework, find a winner and make some money at the Byron Nelson. Here’s a look at the odds, along with our choice to win the tournament.
Meet the Contenders
There’s no Scottie Scheffler (birth of his first child) and no Rory McIlroy (teamed with Shane Lowry to win the Zurich Classic of New Orleans this past Sunday) at the Byron Nelson, so that opens the wagering quite noticeably.
Jordan Spieth is taken to win, priced at 16-1 (+1600), according to CJ Cup Byron Nelson odds.
You couldn’t find a more open board than this. Defending champion (see above) Jason Day is second choice at 18-1 (+1800) to repeat, while Si Woo Kim is 20-1 (+2000). Adam Scott and Will Zalatoris are next at 22-1 (+2200).
Once again, do some homework and find the winner at a fat price.
Worthy of Consideration?
If you’re thinking of going further down the board at the Byron Nelson, here are other odds…
Alex Noren 25-1 (+2500)
Tom Hoge 28-1 (+2800)
Sungjae Im 28-1 (+2800)
Stephan Jaeger 28-1 (+2800)
Min Woo Lee 28-1 (+2800)
Rest of the Field 30-1 (+3000) or longer
Day the Play
When it comes to any tournament on the PGA Tour, there are always some legitimately good betting options on the board. Finding the winner is the high risk/high reward way to go, but not the only wager out there.
Who finishes in the top five or top 10 is another way to go. Who misses/makes the cut, who is the leader after the opening round, who’s the top American are other alternatives.
However, we’re going back to the basics, and Jason Day is our selection.
Familiarity may breed contempt, but it also helps on the tee box. Day is the defending champ of this event, and when a previous winner is offered at a generous (18-1, [+1800]) price, we won’t argue. Take Jason Day to repeat at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
With the PGA Championship right around the corner (May 16th thru 19th at Valhalla in Louisville), there are any number of associated wagers, as per golf major odds.
- Ean Lamb, Gambling911.com
