Welcome to Power Rankings, a weekly feature on SI Golf from our partners at KeyCompete. This week the Tour shifts from New Orleans to North Texas for the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Here’s how our model sees the event event shaping up:
The 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson Tournament will be staged at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas. Designed by Tom Weiskopf, Craig Ranch opened in 2004 and quickly established itself as one of Texas’s top golf destinations. The par-71 spans more than 7,400 yards and features wide fairways, sculpted bunkers and subtly contoured greens that demand precision and strategic thinking. The par-3 17th hole called “Ranch 17th” features a stadium environment that is reminiscent of TPC Scottsdale’s famed 16th. Here are the players our model likes this week.
1. Jordan Spieth (+1400) – The local favorite and former champion, Spieth hasn’t been his best in 2024 but he’s due. This would be a comfortable place to get on track.
2. Tom Kim (+3000) – Lurking. An’s explosive driving and precision on the greens make him a strong contender, as it feels like a win is coming soon.
3. Will Zalatoris (+2200) – Continues to impress this season after a lost year following back surgery.
4. Jason Day (+1800) – Experience and tenacity make him a threat on any course. Ended a five-year winless drought here last year.
5. Byeong Hun An (+3000) – Powerful drives and deft touch around the greens will play well here. A dark horse.
6. Si Woo Kim (+1800) – Plays a more unpredictable style, but knack for rising to the occasion could see him contend.
7. Stephan Jaeger (+3000) – Solid all-around game and a player on the rise.
8. Adam Scott (+2500) – Wealth of experience makes him a threat.
9. KH Lee (+5000) – Still emerging, Lee’s steady improvement and confidence-building victories position him as a contender here once again. Winner here in 2021 and 2022.
10. Alex Noren (+2500) – Precision ball-striking and strategic prowess make him the 10th man on our list.
Our top-ranked pairing of Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowrystaged a thrilling comeback to secure a victory in sudden death at the Zurich. McIlroy’s powerful drives paired with Lowry’s precise iron play and clutch putting made the difference for this team of great friends and fellow Irishmen.
KeyCompete had a solid week on our picks, bringing our yearly record to 73-52.
