CJ Cup Byron Nelson Preview: Betting Odds & Key Players to Watch

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Scotty Scheffler Tops Odds at Byron Nelson Tournament

Scotty Scheffler is currently the favorite to win this week's Byron Nelson with remarkably short odds of +155. This unusual betting line emerges in part because many top players are taking a break following the PGA. Scheffler, a Texas native and the defending champion, famously scored 31 under par at last year's event. His performance led to changes in the course, redesigned with insights from golf legend Lanny Watkins.

The redesigned TPC Craig Ranch is expected to remain a birdie-friendly course, playing into Scheffler's strengths such as driving distance and greens in regulation. The event is also a draw for local Texas players like Jordan Spieth, forming part of the somewhat lighter field this year. Betting pros like Brady are opting for long shots, influenced by Scheffler's dominating odds and the next closest contenders, Spieth and Si Wu Kim, positioned at 15 and Koepka at 25. Any odds after these are starting at 50 to 1 or higher.

Among those long shots, Matty Schmidt is highlighted as a name to watch, given his strong performance last week and odds of 80 to 1, which seems low considering his recent success. His proficiency on bent grass greens and excellent putting at last week's Ironomin align well with the expected challenges at TPC Craig Ranch. Brady notes that this environment could set the stage for a potential upset, especially given the competition's focus on putting.