×

Top Links:

Get A Golf Handicap

UK Golf Guide

Golfshake Top 100s

Find Golf Travel Deals

Golf Competitions

Search

Community Forum

Course:

Tee Times | Search | Reviews

News:

Gear | Tour | Industry Insider

Tuition:

Video Library | Tuition Sections

Community:

Join | Log In | Help | Useful Links

×

Byron Nelson Classic preview, picks & analysis

By: Golf Shake | Mon 25 May 2015


BRENDON TODD returns to the Four Seasons Resort at Irving, Texas  to defend the Byron Nelson Classic title he won 12 months ago, but all eyes will be on a certain local boy who just happens to be the Masters champion. His name is Jordan Spieth and, in truth, he has looked somewhat jaded since his breathtaking victory at Augusta.

Or at least he did until he returned to his native Texas for the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial and finished second.

All of a sudden, everybody wants a piece of him and, being the sort of young man he is, Spieth has been only too happy to oblige. Every so often, a golfer arrives on the scene who has the lot - a great game, the ability to produce stunning shots that leave the gallery open-mouthed, an ability to hole every putt that matters and a personality that charms everybody.


Jordan Spieth will be hoping to go one better following his second place last week

Jordan Spieth


We are incredibly lucky right now. Not only do we have Spieth, but we also have Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler and a host of other promising young kids, including Justin Thomas, Ben Martin, Chris Kirk and Kevin Kisner. Throw the likes of Dustin Johnson into the mix, the return to form of Phil Mickelson and the return to fitness of one Tiger Woods and you can see that this wonderful game of ours is in pretty good shape right now.

But the man everybody will be expecting to come through at the Byron Nelson is Spieth. He showed signs of returning to his very best at the Crown Plaza and, had it not been for a disappointing second round of 74, he would have won there by a street. However, nothing, but nothing, will give him greater pleasure than coming out on top at a tournament where he is able to head home and sleep in his own bed each night. He first played in the tournament as a 16-year-old amateur.

Great players have "something", an intangible that you can't quite put your finger on. Spieth has it in spades. When he first came out on tour and won as a 19-year-old, nobody doubted his ability, but he had a habit of getting down on himself when things didn't go his way. He has quickly grown up and now takes absolutely everything the games throws at him in his stride.

I will be astonished if he doesn't win this tournament - and by a long way.

The rest of the field will have other ideas, none more so than Todd, but it is asking a great deal of any player to return to the scene of a first victory and win again. Make no mistake, however, about Todd's ability. He will win many more tournaments before his career is over, and this one is obviously very special to him.

A top-class field also includes Jason Day, Harris English and Daniel Berger. Much was expected of Day this year, but he has thus far failed to deliver - with the US Open just around the corner, this would be a good time to rediscover his form.

When you think of Texas, you tend to think of sweltering heat and strong wind, but there has been some unseasonal weather in the state, with as much rain in a matter of days as they would normally expect in a year. And that is certain to affect the course. The greens will be soft, and there will not be as much roll on the fairways as the players would normally expect - and that means the shorter hitters might struggle.

Tony Finau is NOT a short hitter. Neither is Dustin Johnson. The big difference between the two is that Johnson has learnt how to harness his power, while Finau has not - when he does (and he will), he will be a formidable competitior. This a course that should suit both of these men.

Look out, too, for the in-form Kevin Kisner, who just keeps on contending and must surely win his first event soon.

There has been much criticism of those who play on the PGA Tour for failing to shout "fore" when wayward shots head towards the crowd, and this seems like as good a time as any to note that the players finally seem to have got the message that a golf ball can do some serious damage if it hits a spectator on the head. Suddenly, we are hearing lots of cries of "fore". Tour officials have made no comment but they have clearly spoken to their players and are to be commended for righting this wrong.

Byron Nelson Classic Betting Picks

To win: Jordan Spieth 9/1 Will take some beating on home turf

Each-way: Justin Thomas 40/1 Has been playing brilliant golf

Each-way: Jason Day 25/1 It's time the Aussie got back into the mix

Byron Nelson Classic Fantasy picks

Jordan Spieth. Loves winning

Justin Thomas. This could be the week he puts four good rounds together

Jason Day. If he is on his game he has a big chance

Tony Finau. The big hitter is finding some consistency

Dustin Johnson. The Dustinator is ready to win again

Kevin Kisner. He keeps knocking on the door

Brandt Snedeker. Back to his best

Ryan Palmer. Loves playing in Texas

Charley Hoffman. Brilliant ball striker

Martin Laird. Looking like a top player again

Image credit - Twitter @JWhitakerGolf


Be part of the action with a selection of unique golf tournament experiences, from playing in a pro-am with the stars to watching the action at golf’s most illustrious events. Whether it’s the Masters or The Open, The Ryder Cup or WM Phoenix Open, build your own bespoke package with the experts at Golfbreaks.com.


What do you think? post your thoughts and feedback on the Golfshake Forum: https://forum.golfshake.com/




Scroll to top