HP Byron Nelson Championship Preview & Picks

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We are this week assessing the golf betting opportunities in the field for the Byron Nelson Championship, taking place at TPC Four Seasons Resort, Texas.

TPC Four Seasons is a 7,166 yard par 70 which ranked as the 14^th most difficult course out of 49 on the PGA Tour in 2012. This course is an all around challenge with birdies at a premium – the last 3 winners have won with scores of just -11 (Dufner), -3 (Bradley) and -10 (Day). If your golfer wants any chance of making those birdies to have a chance of winning, then the key is driving well and hitting plenty of fairways.

Players to watch...

Keegan Bradley (24/1) has recorded 5 top 10’s so far this year, his best finish being T3 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Bradley has played in this event twice – winning in 2011 and T24 last year, so we know he likes the course. He topped the all-around rankings in 2012 and is 17^th in the same category this year. Combine that with his total driving ranking of 5^th this year and we think he is a serious contender.

Vaughn Taylor (200/1) is something of a journeyman pro these days but has 2 PGA Tour victories to his name, both of those being at Reno Tahoe (2004/2005). Last time out he recorded an impressive T10 at Wells Fargo – his best tournament finish since August 2010 (Barclays). His better form of late has largely been due to his improved driving, ranking 15^th in 2013 for driving accuracy (vs 114^th in 2012). If he can keep up the good driving then we think he has an each-way shout at a big price.

Vijay Singh (125/1) started the season well with a T20 at the Sony Open but hasn’t finished an event under par since Pebble Beach in February. Singh finished T9 here last year and he carries a little each-way potential this year based on his 26^th ranking for total driving.

Jason Dufner (20/1) had a breakthrough year in 2012 with 2 victories (Zurich/Byron Nelson) but has not managed to recapture that form yet this year. He played nicely at the players last week and threatened a top 5 finish until an ugly 80 in the final round. So far this year his driving has been very solid (13^th driving accuracy) but it’s been his putting that has let him down. If he can recapture some form with his putter this week then he has a chance of successfully defending his title.