PGA Props Picks: CJ Cup Byron Nelson Predictions
Ireland and Northern Ireland combined to take home the trophy at last week’s team event, the Zurich Classic. Unfortunately for us, we faded Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry.
They were the most talented duo in the field, but both guys can be inconsistent, and this was the type of tournament if either guy were playing like crap, they would have packed up early. However, both golfers got off to a hot start and didn't settle down until they hit the clubhouse.
This week, thankfully, we don’t have to handicap either of the two. Leading the way instead, we have the former next big thing who has become a more consistent golfer as he has matured, Jordan Speith, along with Aussies Jason Day and Adam Scott, Seoul’s Si Woo Kim, and American Will Zalatoris.
This is just the 4th year they are holding the event at TPC Craig Ranch in Texas. Day was the winner here a year ago and will be near the top of the betting board when we tee off on Thursday.
This isn't the most difficult course on the PGA Tour, with tee-to-green percentages dominating the trends. Over the past three years, the winner has ranked 1st, 2nd, and 5th in shots gained tee-to-green for the tournament.
Picking a winner will be very difficult, so let's do this. We have some fun prop bets for you, along with predictions for the CJ Cup Byron Nelson Classic. Let's see what kind of interesting betting lines we can find!
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Matchups
Jordan Spieth (-127) vs Jason Day (+106)
The Texan, Spieth, sat out the Byron Nelson last year but finished 2nd in 2022 and 9th in 2021. This guy has all the talent in the world. I think he just got too successful too quickly.
Winning The Masters at the ripe age of just 21 will do that to you. He has since had his down years and has somewhat reinvented himself as a more steady guy who doesn't win as often but snags more top-20 finishes than ever.
He is 30 now and primed to blow Day back down under with a strong performance at this week's CJ Cup.
Day has been all over the place at this tournament. In his previous four appearances, he has finishes of 2nd, a missed cut, 51st, and 1st.
Spieth is the favorite for a reason, though. This is his backyard, and he has been far more consistent playing in his home state than anywhere else.
Don’t mess with Texas!
Pick: Spieth (-127)
Si Woo Kim (-150) vs Sungjae Im (+122)
I probably saw one of these two playing as kids when I was stationed over in the ROK, the Republic of Korea, 20 years ago. We only had about 8 golf courses on base, and the locals dominated.
I made a lot of money on the former Rookie of the Year, Sungjae Im. Unfortunately, I have since lost probably half of it back as the chubster has fallen from the form that led him to win the award.
One would think that time on the Tour would only help these guys, but it goes to show why golf is such a mental game. We mentioned Spieth's much higher fall from grace, but the South Korean has also faltered significantly since his first couple years on Tour.
He had a solid 12th place finish at The Masters, however, and won an event last week on the Korean PGA Tour. Cool story and all, but that is a long flight back. I did JFK straight to Seoul once, 18 hours.
His countryman, Si Woo Kim, took the past couple of weeks off and, before that has been quite consistent with an average finish of 21st over his previous 8 starts. He also has that bitter taste of runner-up in his mouth from last year's CJ Cup that not even the kimchi can cover up.
Pick: Kim (-150)
Top 10 Finish Parlay
Jordan Speith and Si Woo Kim: +800
We already made our case for both golfers, and I don't want us overexposed to any particular athlete. However, the price is right for ¼ or ⅛ of a unit for this prime 8-1 payout.
Big Guns vs The Field
Spieth/Zalatoris/Si Woo Kim/Day: +400
The Field: -700
Alright guys, break out your bankroll for this (-700) bet on the field this week minus the big guns listed. I'm kidding.
It's another fraction of a unit shot, but why not? Three of the four have most recent finishes here of 1st, 2nd, and 2nd.
Pick: Big Guns (+400)
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