A Chance to Star in Texas: PGA Tour Tees it Up at the 2025 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
The PGA Tour heads to the heart of Texas this week for the 2025 CJ CUP Byron Nelson, hosted at TPC Craig Ranch just outside of Dallas. Known for its wide fairways, low scores, and birdie-filled drama, the Byron Nelson has become one of the Tour’s more fan-friendly shootouts, and this year should be no different in the Lone Star State. Players will look to build FedEx Cup points heading into the meat of the season, and the Byron Nelson offers a prime chance for both stars and sleepers to grab some momentum. While some are still chasing their first wins of the year, others are looking to find form and confidence after slow starts. With several big names teeing it up and a host of compelling storylines to watch for, the 2025 CJ CUP Byron Nelson is shaping up to be another can’t-miss event on the spring slate.
Tournament Details
Location: TPC Craig Ranch, McKinney, TX
Dates: May 1st - May 4th, 2025
Defending Champion: Taylor Pendrith
Purse: $9.9 million
FedEx Cup Points: 500
Event Type: Regular PGA Tour Event
Course Week Breakdown
TPC Craig Ranch, a 7,569-yard par-71 layout, offers players one of the more scorable courses on the PGA Tour schedule. The layout features generous landing areas off the tee, minimal rough, and large, receptive greens that reward aggressive approach play and precise wedge work. Scoring conditions will favor players who are confident with the flatstick and can take advantage of the par 5s, where eagles and easy birdies are often available. While the course may not be the most punishing off the tee, water hazards and tricky green complexes on the back nine can cause drama late on Sunday. The closing stretch, especially the risk-reward 18th hole, is perfectly set up for a pressure-packed finish.
The weather for the week looks mostly cooperative, with temperatures hovering in the high-70s to mid-80s. Winds will be light to moderate early on, with gusts potentially climbing to 15 mph by the weekend, which could add a layer of difficulty during the final rounds. There’s a slight chance of rain Friday night into Saturday morning, but conditions are expected to remain playable throughout the tournament. With soft greens early in the week and firming fairways as the weekend progresses, expect the leaderboard to remain fluid heading into Sunday. As always, the players who adapt quickest to changing course conditions will find themselves in contention.
Featured Players to Watch:
Defending Champion: Taylor Pendrith – World Number 45
Taylor Pendrith returns to TPC Craig Ranch with great memories and a confidence boost from his breakthrough win at the 2024 CJ CUP Byron Nelson. The big-hitting Canadian used his length off the tee and sharp wedge play to card four rounds in the 60s last year, capping it off with a clutch Sunday 67 to secure his first PGA Tour title. Since that win, Pendrith has had an up-and-down stretch of results but remains dangerous on courses that allow him to be aggressive. He’ll need to sharpen his short game and putting to mount a successful title defense, but TPC Craig Ranch suits his skill set perfectly. Returning as defending champ brings a different kind of pressure, and we’ll see if Pendrith can rise to the occasion when the spotlight is on.
Powerhouse: Scottie Scheffler – World Number One
It’s hard to imagine Scottie Scheffler still searching for his first win of 2025, given how well he’s played all season, but that’s exactly the case heading into the Byron Nelson. He’s been a model of consistency with several top-five finishes and is second on Tour in strokes gained tee-to-green, yet the putter has been cold at critical times. TPC Craig Ranch sets up well for Scheffler, who calls Dallas home and will have plenty of local support throughout the week. If he can find something on the greens, this could easily be the event where he breaks through and gets back in the winner’s circle. He’s not just the best player in the field; he’s the most motivated, and the clock is ticking on what has still somehow been a winless year for the world number one.
Looking to Bounce Back: Tom Kim – World Number 74
After a breakout 2022 campaign, Tom Kim has struggled to find his footing so far in 2025. The young South Korean star has missed several cuts and hasn't contended in any big events this year, a far cry from the promise he showed just a couple of seasons ago. Kim’s game, built on laser-like accuracy and a fearless approach, hasn’t translated into results yet this year, but the setup at TPC Craig Ranch could be exactly what he needs. The course favors players who can stay in the fairway and control their approaches, which are typically Kim’s strengths when he’s in form. If he can find some confidence with the putter and get off to a good start, don’t be surprised to see him rebound with a strong showing.
Player to Watch: Nico Echavarria – World Number 51
One of the quiet risers on Tour in 2025, Nico Echavarria, is starting to make a name for himself with steady improvement and competitive finishes. The Colombian has been climbing the FedEx Cup standings thanks to solid ball-striking and a calm, unflappable demeanor that belies his limited PGA Tour experience. While he hasn’t cracked the top 10 much this year, he lost in a playoff at the Sony Open in Hawaii, he’s made cuts in his last four starts, and is inching closer to a breakout performance. TPC Craig Ranch could be the ideal venue for him to make that leap, as the wide fairways will allow him to stay aggressive off the tee without fear. With confidence building and momentum on his side, Echavarria is a name to watch closely this week, especially if the putter heats up.
Final Thoughts
The CJ Cup Byron Nelson is often a proving ground, whether it’s for defending champions looking to validate a career-changing win, world-class players ready to get over the hump, or rising stars trying to take the next step. In 2025, the stakes feel particularly high. Scottie Scheffler is looking to end a baffling winless stretch, Tom Kim is searching for signs of his old spark, and Nico Echavarria is on the verge of showing he belongs in the conversation with the Tour’s best. With warm Texas weather, a scorable course, and the FedEx Cup race intensifying, the Byron Nelson is perfectly positioned to deliver another thrilling chapter in the PGA Tour season. Whether it’s a marquee name or an emerging talent, someone is about to make a big move in Big D.
