The PGA TOUR is heating up this spring, and all eyes turn to McKinney, Texas, for THE CJ Cup Byron Nelson 2025, running from May 1 to May 4 at the beautiful TPC Craig Ranch. This year’s tournament promises fireworks with a 150-player field packed with stars like Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Sungjae Im, and Will Zalatoris, among many others.

Canada’s Taylor Pendrith comes in as the defending champion, after sealing a gutsy victory last year at 23-under. He’ll be looking to defend his crown against a top-heavy lineup that includes a dominant World No. 1 and a few rising threats ready to steal the spotlight. TPC Craig Ranch, with its long par-4s, tricky Rowlett Creek crossings, and strategic Tom Weiskopf design, will challenge even the best shotmakers. Now that you know the stage, let’s dive into the power rankings for this week—the five players you need to have your eyes on.

1. Scottie Scheffler (+280)

It’s no surprise—Scottie Scheffler is the odds-on favorite, and for good reason. He’s been the model of consistency all season long, racking up six top-15 finishes in eight starts without even lifting a trophy yet. Just look at the numbers: T2 in Houston, a T3 at the Genesis Invitational, and a solo fourth at Augusta National for the Masters. Coming off a historic 2024 season—where he won seven times, including the Masters, The Players, and even captured Olympic gold—this year has felt a bit quieter by comparison. But make no mistake, the 2025 season feels like it’s building toward something big. There’s no better place for the Dallas native to finally break through than TPC Craig Ranch—practically a home game. Scheffler’s ball-striking and putting have remained elite, and if he’s dialed in this week, it’s tough to bet against him hoisting the trophy come Sunday evening.

2. Sungjae Im (+2500)

Quietly flying under the radar is Sungjae Im, but the South Korean star is poised for a big week. Im’s strength lies in his smooth ball-striking and rock-solid iron play—a perfect combination for navigating TPC Craig Ranch’s demanding greens and Rowlett Creek’s tricky crossings. He’s shown flashes of brilliance all year, and with a steady history of playing well on wide-open layouts like this, Sungjae is a sleeper pick that could cash in a big way. At +2500, the value is strong, and if he gets the putter going early, watch out.

3. Jordan Spieth (+2000)

Now here’s where it gets interesting. Jordan Spieth is always a fan favorite, especially back home in Texas. He’s coming off three consecutive top-20 finishes, including a solid T14 at the Masters. On the surface, it looks like Spieth is trending nicely. But don’t be fooled entirely. Statistically, Spieth’s game is still a bit of a mixed bag. He’s currently ranked 107th in greens in regulation (65.20%) and 108th in birdie average (3.74), not exactly confidence-boosters at a venue that demands precision. Plus, he missed the cut at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson last year. While you can never count Spieth out for pulling magic from nowhere, based on the numbers alone, he’s a risky play to actually win this week, though the hometown energy could still lift him into contention.

4. Taylor Pendrith (+3300)

You can’t talk about this tournament without mentioning Taylor Pendrith. The big Canadian won this event in 2024, holding off a crowded leaderboard with calm nerves and clinical ball-striking. Pendrith’s length off the tee is a huge advantage at Craig Ranch, especially with those monster par-4s on the back nine. He knows the course, he knows how to win here, and despite flying under the radar compared to names like Scheffler and Spieth, he could absolutely defend his title. At +3300, Pendrith might be one of the best value bets in the entire field. Don’t sleep on him.

5. Jacob Bridgeman (+6600)

Looking for a dark horse? Here’s your guy: Jacob Bridgeman. The 25-year-old hasn’t snagged his first PGA TOUR victory yet, but the breakthrough feels close. Bridgeman has two top-10 finishes in his last eleven starts this season, and the stats back up his case: he ranks fifth in strokes gained: putting (0.749), 12th in putts per round (27.78), 16th in scoring average (69.78), and 19th in strokes gained: total (0.922). Those numbers are no joke. At +6600 odds, Bridgeman is the kind of pick that could make you look like a genius if he surges into contention on Sunday. His combination of hot putting and confident ball-striking could be the recipe for a huge week at TPC Craig Ranch.

The 2025 CJ Cup Byron Nelson is shaping up to be a thriller, with big names, sneaky sleepers, and a challenging course ready to shake up the FedExCup standings. Whether it’s Scheffler dominating the field, Im sneaking in with quiet brilliance, or Bridgeman stunning the world, this week promises pure golf entertainment.

Who’s your pick? Let me know in the comments!