To label Scottie Scheffler as an outright favorite for the 2025 CJ Cup Byron Nelson doesn’t quite convey the odds’ situation accurately. Scheffler, the top-ranked golfer globally, stands at +280 to win the event, which debuts on Thursday, May 1, at TPC Craig Ranch. A wager of $100 on him offers a return of $280, significantly less than the payout potential for other competitors.
Jordan Spieth follows with shorter odds at 18-1. For bettors interested in longshot picks, this tournament presents excellent opportunities, as only eight participants in the event hold odds of 30-1 or better.
Just because a golfer has long odds does not guarantee value. For instance, Will Zalatoris, with only one missed cut in nine events this year, is a 45-1 longshot but hasn’t yet achieved a top-10 finish. Meanwhile, Tom Kim, who has claimed three PGA Tour victories, is a 60-1 longshot. Should either golfer be part of your betting strategy?
The proprietary model from SportsLine, created by DFS expert Mike McClure, has been performing exceptionally well post the PGA Tour’s return in June 2020, boasting a profit of over $9,000 on its best bets. The model’s track record includes a notable success rate at major tournaments, accurately predicting 14 majors, including the 2025 Masters.
As the 2025 CJ Cup Byron Nelson field is established, SportsLine has run simulations 10,000 times to spot the best longshot betting recommendations:
Ben Griffin (35-1 at FanDuel)
Griffin recently clinched victory at the Zurich Classic, a team occurrence with Andrew Novak. The duo fell short on the last day, but after three rounds scoring 66 or lower, Griffin secured his first PGA Tour triumph. At 28, he aims to convert that momentum into his initial solo win this weekend, and our model views him as a considerable value bet.
Griffin has a track record of placing fourth or higher in three of the last eight events, currently ranked 21st in the FedEx Cup standings. While he excels as a driver, ranking 39th overall, his performance with the putter has been lacking. A few successful putts this weekend could boost his chances kindly at TPC Craig Ranch, with odds at 35-1 on FanDuel.
Jacob Bridgeman (60-1)
Bridgeman, 25, is still hunting for his first PGA Tour victory, but recent performances signal that it could soon occur. In his second complete year on the circuit, he has three top-10 finishes in his last seven outings, notably T-2 at the Cognizant Classic and finishing third at the Valspar Championship. His cut making stands at seven from his last eight tournaments, a streak he hadn’t accomplished during the previous season.
Bridgeman ranks 19th on the PGA Tour regarding total strokes gained, particularly strong in putting, ranking fifth in that category. His consistent average scoring places him at 16th overall. Given the competitive landscape of the tournament and Bridgeman’s prowess with the flatstick, his 60-1 odds could represent an outstanding opportunity this week.
Taylor Moore (75-1)
Moore, the 2023 Valspar Championship victor, has not fared well at this year’s edition of the same tournament but previously made the cut in his preceding seven competitions. He placed T-7 at The American Express and T-9 at the WM Phoenix Open during that timeframe, achieving two top-10 finishes this year through ten tournaments, equalling his total of top-10s from 29 events last year.
His long-distance driving capacity will be crucial if he aims to surprise the competition this week. Currently, he ranks 14th in total driving and 28th for driving length while sitting at 82nd for accuracy. If Moore finds consistency off the tee, he could be a pop-up contender worthy of attention. His scoring average places him 18th on the Tour, and at 75-1 odds, our model highlights him as a viable option for longshot enthusiasts.
More CJ Cup Byron Nelson 2025 Selections
The latest longshot suggestions from our model are there for consideration. For further insights, check the projected leaderboard for Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Taylor Pendrith, Sungjae Im, and others. Visit SportsLine for the expert-predicted leaderboard, and view their suggestions based on the model which has discerned 14 golf majors, including the past four Masters.
Furthermore, seek expert opinions before formalizing your PGA Tour wagers. Visit SportsLine to see Eric Cohen’s premium picks for the CJ Cup Byron Nelson 2025, who has correctly identified many tournament outright winners over the last two seasons.
