2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson Sleepers: Bet on Spieth, Eckroat at TPC Craig Ranch
Aaron Rai won the PGA Championship last week as a massive sleeper, who could be lurking behind Scottie Scheffler this week at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson? Let's take a look at this 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson sleepers from Peter Alexis on Wednesday, May 20th.
Peter Alexis - May 20, 2026, 6:30 PM EDT
4 Minute ReadIs Jordan Spieth a Sleeper to Watch Against Scottie Scheffler in CJ Cup Byron Nelson This Week?
The CJ Cup Byron Nelson heads to TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas, with Scottie Scheffler sitting as an aggressive +175 favorite in a field missing many of the PGA Tour’s biggest names. Scheffler won this event by eight strokes last year and has the clear hometown angle, but the board gets interesting quickly once the search moves past the favorite.
Aaron Rai’s win last week at massive long odds was another reminder that sleepers can still break through in these weaker post-major fields. TPC Craig Ranch usually rewards birdie-making, aggressive approach play, and comfort in low-scoring conditions, which opens the door for a few bigger prices to at least make Scheffler work. Scheffler posted 31-under here last year, while TPC Craig Ranch has historically played as a gettable course for players who can pile up scoring chances.
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2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson Odds
2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: Thursday, May 21st - Sunday, May 24th, 2026
- Time: 7:00 AM ET
- Where to Watch: Golf Channel, CBS, ESPN+
Click here for complete 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson Odds
2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson Sleepers Breakdown
Jordan Spieth (+1750) Check out the best odds at DraftKings Sportsbook
Spieth is not a deep sleeper by name, but he fits the “can anyone actually push Scheffler?” conversation at +1750. He has strong course history at TPC Craig Ranch, including three top-10 finishes at this event and a final-round 62 last year, and the Texas angle always matters with Spieth.
The concern is consistency, but this field is thin enough that his ceiling stands out. If the putter gets hot and he starts fast, Spieth has the experience and local comfort to turn this into a real Sunday run.
Ryo Hisatsune (+4700) Check out the best odds at DraftKings Sportsbook
Hisatsune is one of the cleaner form-based sleepers on the board. He has already produced four top-10 finishes this season and has been highlighted as a player whose birdie-making profile fits a low-scoring event like the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
That matters at Craig Ranch, where staying patient is not enough. Players need to attack par 5s, keep wedges close, and turn good rounds into 64s or 65s. At +4700, Hisatsune has enough recent momentum to be more than just a random longshot.
Austin Eckroat (+9200) Check out the best odds at DraftKings Sportsbook
Eckroat is the bigger swing at +9200, but there is a real case for him in this type of event. He has a previous runner-up finish at this tournament and has shown enough recent form to pop in a birdie-friendly setup, including a top-10 finish at the Texas Open.
The number is the appeal. Scheffler is the obvious class of the field, but if the favorite does not separate early, a player like Eckroat can climb quickly with one hot putting round and a strong par-5 week. At this price, he is worth a small sleeper look.
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