• Home
  • Golf

The CJ CUP Byron Nelson Predictions - Top contenders for victory at TPC Craig Ranch

brad-newcomb
Editor
Last updated: 19 May 2026

The CJ CUP Byron Nelson returns to Texas with a star-studded field including defending champion Scottie Scheffler and top Major winners. Expert picks highlight Si Woo Kim for his strong and consistent form, and Davis Thompson, Eric Cole, and young sensation Blades Brown as leading contenders. All have shown impressive recent performances, with each having a real chance to claim the winner's trophy at TPC Craig Ranch this weekend. The article concludes that Kim, Thompson, Cole, and Brown are strong bets for the title.

Brad Newcomb 19 May 2026
Share this article
Or copy link
success image
  • The CJ CUP Byron Nelson takes place between 21-24 May 
  • The tournament takes place at TPC Craig Ranch, McKinney, Texas
  • Si Woo Kim, Davis Thompson, Eric Cole, and Blades Brown are key contenders.
Si Woo Kim
Si Woo Kim has played solid golf througout this season (Getty Images)

The PGA Tour and a competitive field of the world's best golfers return to Texas for the third time this season, with the CJ CUP Byron Nelson on the line. Who will pocket the winner's cheque this weekend?

Scottie Scheffler is back to defend his title after an eight-stroke victory over Erik van Rooyen in 2025. 

Past and present Major winners who will tee off on Thursday include PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai, Scottie Scheffler, Brooks Koepka, Jordan Spieth, Wyndham Clark, Webb Simpson, and Danny Willett.

These are our selections that could win the title in Texas. 

Si Woo Kim


Si Woo Kim began his season in great touch on the DP World Tour and PGA Tour, placing 3rd at the Crown Australian Open, T11 at the Sony Open in Hawaii, T6 at the American Express, T2 at the Farmers Insurance Open, T3 at the WM Phoenix Open before finishing T45 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and T34 at the Genesis Invitational.

Si Woo Kim soon bounced back to form after those two results, placing T13 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, T50 at the Players Championship, T10 at the Valero Texas Open, 47th at the Masters, 3rd at the RBC Heritage, T4 at the Cadillac Championship before finishing T65 at the Truist Championship and T35 at the PGA Championship last weekend. 

The three-time PGA Tour winner has compiled a solid record at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, placing T55 in 2021, MC in 2022, T2 in 2023, T13 in 2024, and T15 in 2025. 

Si Woo Kim has been in excellent form this season and can lift the winning trophy in Texas this weekend.  

Davis Thompson


Davis Thompson struggled with inconsistency during is opening eight tournaments of the season, with results of MC at the American Express, T43 at the Farmers Insurance Open, T64 at the WM Phoenix Open, T60 at the Cognizant Classic, 4th at the Puerto Rico Open, MC at the Players Championship, T46 at the Valspar Championship, and MC at the Texas Children's Houston Open.

However, Thompson has regained his touch in his subsequent three starts, placing T14 at the Valero Texas Open, T6 at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, and T13 at the Myrtle Beach Classic. 

The American has yet to make an impact at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, finishing T70 in 2023 and MC in 2024. 

Thompson appears to have turned the corner and can emerge victorious at TPC Craig Ranch this weekend. 

Eric Cole


Eric Cole had a fair beginning to his season on the PGA Tour, with results of MC at the Sony Open in Hawaii, T27 at the American Express, T27 at the Farmers Insurance Open, MC at the WM Phoenix Open, T37 at the Cognizant Classic, MC at the Puerto Rico Open, T32 at the Players Championship, MC at the Valspar Championship, and T51 at the Texas Children's Houston Open.

Cole has performed well since those results, placing T14 at the Valero Texas Open, T6 at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, and T6 at the recent Myrtle Beach Classic. 

The 37-year-old has featured twice at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, finishing T23 in 2023 and T5 in 2025. 

Cole has been showing signs that he is ready to secure his maiden PGA Tour title. 

Blades Brown


Blades Brown was in decent nick on the Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Tour at the start of his season, with results of MC at the Bahamas Golf Classic, T17 at the Bahamas Great Abaco Classic, T18 at the American Express, T66 at the Panama Championship, T25 at the Astara Golf Championship, and MC at the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches.

Brown has found another gear since those performances, placing 3rd at the Puerto Rico Open, T40 at the Valspar Championship, 3rd at the Club Car Championship, MC at the LECOM Suncoast Classic, 2nd at the Tulum Championship, T26 at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, T9 at the Myrtle Beach Classic, and T16 at the Colonial Life Charity Classic.

The 18-year-old will make his debut at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson this weekend. 

Brown has the form to cause an upset victory at TPC Craig Ranch come Sunday. 

Verdict

Si Woo Kim has the form to go all the way and win the CJ Cup Byron Nelson this weekend.

Thompson has been in solid form and can secure victory at TPC Craig Ranch come Sunday.

Cole has produced consistent results lately and will be challenging for the title in Texas this weekend.
 
Blades Brown comes into this tournament on the back of top results and could upstage others with a victory this Sunday.

Best Bet1: Si Woo Kim Each-Way @13.00 at 10bet - 1 Unit
Best Bet2: Davis Thompson Each-Way @34.00 at TicTacBets - 1 Unit
Best Bet3: Eric Cole Each-Way @56.00 at Jabula Bets - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: Blades Brown Each-Way @67.00 at Yesplay - 1 Unit
Si Woo Kim
Each-Way
@13.00 - 1 Unit
Get R15 + R15 Free Spins
+ 150% up to R5,000 (2nd Deposit)

Deposit R50 or more on your first deposit at 10bet and get a welcome gift consisting of a R15 free bet + R15 free spins on Fortune Olympus. If you decide to make a second deposit after that, you will get 150% up to R5,000 Bonus to bet on sports or games. New customers only. 18+ T&Cs and wagering requirements apply. To activate the bonus, select it from the cashier.

Bet at 10bet
Davis Thompson
Each-Way
@34.00 - 1 Unit
100% up to R5,000 + 50 spins
Use promo code BETS

Register using the code BETS to claim the best bonus on Tic Tac Sports Betting. 18+. T&Cs apply.

Bet at TicTacBets
Eric Cole
Each-Way
@56.00 - 1 Unit
Get 150% up to R15,000
use promo code BETS

18+. T&Cs apply.

Bet at Jabula Bets
Blades Brown
Each-Way
@67.00 - 1 Unit
Deposit R3000 Get R3000
Exclusive Offer

18+. T&Cs apply.

Bet at Yesplay

Top Betting Sites

special-offer-1Betting offers

Upcoming Events

21 May 2026

CJ Cup Byron Nelson

days

hours

min

Add to Calendar