News
SMU banned from NCAA postseason, DeChambeau can’t defend title
On Tuesday, the Southern Methodist University men’s golf team was deemed ineligible from NCAA postseason play in 2015-2016 due to recruiting violations and unethical conduct, according to a report from the Golf Channel.
Josh Gregory, who served four years as the SMU Mustangs head golf coach, was found to have:
- Committed multiple recruiting infractions with 64 impermissible contacts with 10 prospects and seven parents of prospects over a 10-month period.
- Offered players merchandise and golf equipment at a “significantly reduced price.”
- Was aware of a university booster contacting nine recruits and “facilitated contact” between Gregory and players’ families
Due to the infractions, the Mustangs golf team, who are now coached by Jason Enloe, are banned from NCAA postseason play in 2015-2016 and will lose 25 percent of its recruiting scholarships for the next three years — the team receives 4.5 scholarships before reductions.
The postseason punishments will keep senior Bryson DeChambeau, who became only the fifth player ever to win the NCAA Men’s Individual Championship and the U.S. Amateur Championship in the same year last month, from defending his NCAA title.
Related: Bryson DeChambeau WITB 2015
Gregory, the former SMU golf coach, who also coached the 2012 U.S. Palmer Cup team, did not deny the allegations, but disagreed with the punishment.
“I’ve admitted my mistake since Day One, but I’ve never hidden from it,” GREGORY TOLD GOLFCHANNEL.COM. “I know I made a mistake, but I don’t understand [the punishment]. It doesn’t fit the crime.”
According to the NCAA, the SMU Mustangs Men’s basketball coach Larry Brown also committed multiple infractions including academic fraud and unethical conduct, and will be suspended for 30 percent of the team’s games.
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News
Morning 9: Tiger confirms playing schedule | Player: This caused Tiger’s downfall
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
GolfWRX is on site this week in McKinney, Texas, at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson (FKA the AT&T Byron Nelson).
Last year at TPC Craig Ranch, Jason Day ended a five-year winless streak. J-Day is in the field again, as are Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim, and Will Zalatoris.
We have our usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums for your perusal. As always, we’ll continue to add links to additional albums as they make their way to us from the Lone Star State.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Pierceson Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kris Kim – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- David Nyfjall – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Adrien Dumont de Chassart – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Jarred Jetter – North Texas PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Richy Werenski – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Wesley Bryan – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Parker Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Peter Kuest – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Blaine Hale, Jr. – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kelly Kraft – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Rico Hoey – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Pullout Albums
- Adam Scott’s 2 new custom L.A.B. Golf putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Scotty Cameron putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Ben Griffin playing Maxfli golf ball
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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News
Vincenzi’s 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson betting preview: International talent to shine
As anticipation mounts for the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla in a few weeks, the PGA Tour makes a pit stop in McKinney, Texas to play The CJ CUP Byron Nelson.
Last year was the third time TPC Craig Ranch hosted the Byron Nelson. Prior to 2021, the event was held at Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas.
TPC Craig Ranch is a 7,414-yard par-71 that features Bentgrass greens. The event historically plays relatively easy, and that has remained the case in the three editions at TPC Craig Ranch.
The course structure may provide some additional intrigue with the par-3 17th featuring a stadium setup called “Ranch 17” which is reminiscent of the 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale. The course also has both long and difficult par-4s mixed with drivable par-4s, which should create some exciting moments.
There are 156 golfers in the field this week, and many stars will be taking the week off to prepare for 2023’s second major championship in a few weeks and a “signature event” at Quail Hollow next week. Notable players in the field include Jordan Spieth, Jason Day, Sungjae Im, Stephan Jaeger, Tom Kim, Si Woo Kim, Min Woo Lee, Alex Noren, Adam Scott and Will Zalatoris.
Past Winners of the AT&T Byron Nelson
- 2023: Jason Day (-23 at TPC Craig Ranch)
- 2022: K.H. Lee (-26 at TPC Craig Ranch)
- 2021: K.H. Lee (-25 at TPC Craig Ranch)
- 2019: Sung Kang (-23)
- 2018: Aaron Wise (-23)
- 2017: Billy Horschel (-12)
- 2016: Sergio Garcia (-15)
- 2015: Steven Bowditch (-18)
Key Stats at TPC Craig Ranch
Let’s take a look at five key metrics for TPC Craig Ranch to determine which golfers boast top marks in each category over their last 24 rounds.
Strokes Gained: Approach
Strokes Gained: Approach remains the best measure of current form.
Hot iron play will be at a premium this week. Last year, Jason Day gained 6.4 strokes on approach, which was fourth in the field. In 2022, K.H. Lee was ninth in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach, gaining 5.2 strokes. In his 2021 victory, he was second in the field and gained 8.3 strokes on the field in the category.
Strokes Gaines: Approach Over Past 24 Rounds
- Tom Hoge (+1.12)
- Keith Mitchell (+1.02)
- Henrik Norlander (+0.99)
- Ryan Moore (+0.98)
- Ben Martin (0.80)
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee
Fairways are wide at TPC Craig Ranch.
Distance will certainly be helpful, and there aren’t too many difficult holes on the course. Golfers who put themselves in position off of the tee this week should have a sizable advantage.
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee Over Past 24 Rounds
- Peter Kuest (+0.93)
- Kevin Daugherty (+0.91)
- Alejandro Tosti (+0.83)
- Keith Mitchell (+0.82)
- Kevin Tway (+0.74)
Birdie or Better %
There aren’t many hazards on the course, and all of the par-5s should be reachable in two for the majority of the players in the field. I am anticipating a birdie fest, and this statistic should be helpful in finding the birdie-makers.
Birdie or Better % Over Past 24 Rounds:
- Wesley Bryan (31%)
- Kelly Kraft (26.2%)
- Peter Kuest (25.9%)
- Matti Schmid (25.7%
- Jimmy Stanger (25.2%)
Strokes Gained: Putting (Bentgrass)
Many golfers on TOUR have some major putting surface variance in their statistics and prefer Bentgrass to other surfaces.
Bentgrass is common in Texas, and we often see golfers who play well in Texas continue to do so, finding a great feel around the greens.
Strokes Gained: Putting (Bentgrass) Over Past 24 Rounds:
- Maverick McNealy (+0.92)
- Aaron Baddeley (+0.87)
- Callum Tarren (+0.86)
- Harry Hall (+0.81)
- Nick Hardy (+0.69)
Course History
This statistic will tell us which players have performed the best at TPC Craig Ranch over the past three seasons.
Course History Over Past 12 Rounds:
- Jordan Spieth (+2.69)
- K.H. Lee (+2.59)
- Seamus Power (+1.84)
- Ryan Palmer (+1.76)
- Adam Scott (+1.72)
CJ CUP Byron Nelson Model Rankings
Below, I’ve compiled overall model rankings using a combination of the five key statistical categories previously discussed — SG: Approach (27%), SG: OTT (24%), Birdie or Better % (18%), Course History (17%) and SG: Putting Bentgrass (16%).
- Alex Noren
- Adam Scott
- Keith Mitchell
- Si Woo Kim
- Stephen Jaeger
- Jordan Spieth
- Jhonnatan Vegas
- Nate Lashley
- Brice Garnett
- Tom Hoge
2024 CJ CUP Byron Nelson Picks
Byeong Hun An +3000 (DraftKings)
Byeong Hun put together an excellent performance at The Masters, finishing T16, which ties his best ever finish at a major championship (also T16 at 2019 U.S. Open). The South Korean gained 9.16 strokes from tee to green, which ranked 2nd in the field behind only the champion, Scottie Scheffler.
An’s next start at Harbour Town didn’t go as well (67th), but he still had a fantastic ball striking week. The 32-year-old bled strokes both around and on the greens, which was his eventual undoing. In his past three starts, An has gained significant strokes on the field both off the tee and on approach.
Benny had a strong start at last year’s Byron Nelson, finishing in a tie for 14th. With limited challenges on the course, he shouldn’t have to do much scrambling. In his past 24 rounds, he ranks 17th in the field in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee and 17th in the field in birdie or better percentage. The putter is up and down per usual, but his ceiling putting weeks with his LAB Golf putter in 2024 are higher than they’ve been in past seasons.
An is starting to become my “white whale” of the PGA Tour, but I believe in his talent and TPC Craig Ranch is a course that should suit his excellent tee to green play.
Mackenzie Hughes +5500 (FanDuel)
Mackenzie Hughes is quietly putting together a very good season. He finished in a tie for 3rd at the Valspar Championship and followed that up with a T14 at the Texas Children’s Houston Open.
In his past 36 rounds in Texas, the Canadian ranks 5th in the field in Strokes Gained: Total. Last year, he finished in a tie for 14th at this event and gained strokes putting and off the tee. Mackenzie played well that week despite being in extremely poor form. He missed two cuts in a row prior to the event, and four consecutive cuts immediately after. His irons were off that week, but in 2024, we’ve seen an improvement in Hughes’ approach game. He now comes to the event playing some steady golf. He’s gained strokes on approach in four of his past five events and is hitting the ball very well from tee to green.
Hughes has two victories on the PGA Tour, both coming in relatively low-scoring affairs (-17 in each). He will need to go a bit deeper to win the CJ Cup Byron Nelson but has the type of putter that can keep pace in a birdie barrage.
Seamus Power +7000 (FanDuel)
After struggling over the past few seasons with injuries, Seamus Power seems as if he is rounding back into the form that made him a really consistent player on the PGA Tour.
Power finished T12 in his most recent start at the RBC Heritage, which is encouraging considering it was a “signature event” with a very strong field. For the week, the Irishman gained 4.4 strokes on approach and 2.8 strokes putting, which is the combination he’s used in the past to contend on Tour.
In his three trips to TPC Craig Ranch, Power is yet to finish outside of the top-20, with his best finish being a T9 in 2019. He ranks 4th in Strokes Gained: Total at the course. The 37-year-old thrives on easy tracks and has won in 2021 (Barbasol Championship) and 2022 (Butterfield Bermuda) on easier layouts with weaker fields.
Power has the game to go extremely low and I believe he can get back in the winner’s circle for the third time in four years.
Chan Kim +10000 (FanDuel)
Chan Kim has been striking the ball beautifully this season and is a proven winner with two wins on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2023 as well as eight career Japan Tour wins.
At last week’s Zurich Classic, Kim and his partner Doug Ghim finished in a tie for 28th. Prior to that, the South Korean T14 at the Valero Texas Open and T6 at the Corales Puntacana Championship. His success this season in Texas as well as he propensity to play his best golf on the PGA Tour’s easier courses make him and ideal fit for TPC Craig Ranch.
2024 has given plenty of longshot winners on the PGA Tour, and with a birdie fest like this, I believe there’s a strong chance we get another this week in McKinney, Texas.
Alejandro Tosti +10000 (FanDuel)
Alejandro Tosti is one of the most polarizing players on the PGA Tour thus far in the 2024 season. His antics can rub many the wrong way, but he’s shown on a few occasions that he has what it takes to compete in Tour events.
This season, Tosti has been elite off the tee. In his past 24 rounds, he ranks 2nd in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee. The Argentine hits it long and straight, which works at any course on earth. He got a taste of contention a few starts ago at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, finishing in a tie for 2nd place.
Tosti had a fantastic year in 2023 on the Korn Ferry Tour, where going low is a prerequisite to success. If this turns to a shootout, which it likely will, the 27-year-old has the ability to set the pace. Tosti will look to become the second Argentine to win in Texas in the past two seasons after Emiliano Grillo emerged victorious at last year’s Charles Schwab Challenge.
C.T. Pan +15000 (FanDuel)
Outside of a T3 at the Mexico Open, C.T. Pan doesn’t have strong results this season in terms of finishes. However, over his past two starts, Pan’s iron play has come alive. At The Players, he gained 6.6 strokes on approach. At the Valero Texas Open, he gained 3.7. At last week’s Zurich Classic, Pan and his partner Kevin Yu finished T28. For a player who can get extremely hot with his scoring clubs, I believe he’s playing better than the results have shown over the past month or so.
Last season, Pan finished 4th at TPC Craig Ranch and was spectacular across all the major stat categories. In his past 36 qualifying rounds, he ranks 16th in Strokes Gained: Total in Texas.
Pan has won on the PGA Tour at the RBC Heritage and is always a player that I believe has what it takes to win on a Sunday if he finds himself in contention.
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mb
Oct 5, 2015 at 12:00 am
not in the field for SMU this week….most likely turning pro id guess
Keith
Sep 30, 2015 at 6:42 pm
Given SMU’s track record and the huberous of the typical SMU booster…this does not surprise me.
This is the social elite of Dallas/Texas that think they are above the rules. It’s unfortunate for the athletes and sets a terrible precedent for their future and the perspective they will have when faced with similar challenges/opportunities in their life.
E
Sep 30, 2015 at 9:31 pm
Al Texans believe they are above it. Look at the Bush family. They got away with everything
MW
Oct 14, 2015 at 9:25 pm
You’re an idiot.
RG
Oct 25, 2015 at 5:20 am
And your really bright…or not.
Ron
Sep 30, 2015 at 3:12 pm
Once again the athletes are the ones penalized! That’s just wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
brian d
Sep 30, 2015 at 1:00 pm
Its sad, because its never really the people involved who get punished, its the kids who play there and those who had nothing to do with the situation
Jim H
Sep 30, 2015 at 12:23 pm
Looks like Obama’s tyrannical ideology is trickling down to the ncaa.
Desmond
Sep 30, 2015 at 12:33 pm
Seriously?
The NCAA has tyrannized for longer than Obama has lived. Let’s leave politics out of this.
RJ
Sep 30, 2015 at 6:51 pm
WOW…. Can we stop wasting my eye usage with FOOLISH writings! Leave politics to F*X News
DolphLundgrenade
Sep 30, 2015 at 12:11 pm
Everyone who knows about the NCAA knows they are an awful organization for the way they earn huge dollars off of students (if you don’t know, read more), but then they back it up with ridiculous penalties like this…. As if Dechambeau is a professional athlete on a professional sports team.
I don’t know anything about SMU or its problems beyond this (and I can’t say this surprises me, as there are a lot of colleges doing exactly this as we speak; ever wonder why ANYONE would rather live in Alabama to play golf than on a beach in California? No 18 year old recruit would make that pick unless X number of other things are promised) but I do know that this school should continue to face its penalties, but its students should be considered in all of this- Let players that are there play. If they are cheaters or ethically challenged, they will get their comeuppance soon enough- or work on Wall Street or politics and be rich. Life is fun huh!
TE
Sep 30, 2015 at 11:53 am
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/appeals-panel-upholds-ncaa-anti-trust-ruling–disagrees-with-deferred-payments-153721335.html
Deacon Blues
Sep 30, 2015 at 11:37 am
It’s the same story over and over again. . .
It seems like all of the collegiate coaches have no problem providing their athletes the newest and finest equipment, but for some baffling reason they always seem to have to compromise when it comes to exposing their prized athletes to old, washed-out athletic supporters!
It’s just nuts!
There must be some plan of action these geniuses at all of these fine institutions of higher education could come up with to prevent exposure to these unfortunate side-effects of collegiate sports.
Maybe building a special clubhouse to keep them all in – or something like that. . .
Desmond
Sep 30, 2015 at 9:15 am
It is more severe than needed.
The former coach, whom SMU had resign under pressure, a year ago, can’t coach at an NCAA School for 4 years.
The booster is disenfranchised from the program.
The guilty individuals were punished severely.
Why punish the kids and essentially kill the program of another coach?
Yes, SMU had institutional issues … over 30 years ago! And most of those involved are dead or not on the board. Punishing SMU because it is SMU is ludicrous with a 30 year span for severe violations.
I do not like the NCAA .. they make millions off the blood and shortened careers of athletes to whom they give nothing. Someone should investigate the NCAA and cut out their institutional heart, and replace it.
Robert
Sep 30, 2015 at 11:19 am
Completely agree. The NCAA has such incredibly hypocritical and unrealistic standards.
alexdub
Sep 30, 2015 at 11:26 am
Well said. I think we will see some institutional reforms with the NCAA in the coming years. Certainly, the NCAA fulfills a needed role, but they have now become the embodiment of institutional cronyism the organization originally sought to suppress.
TE
Sep 30, 2015 at 11:53 am
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/bad-horseplay–smu-s-time-as-part-of-ncaa-should-be-over-195905029.html
Desmond
Sep 30, 2015 at 12:37 pm
Shock Jock Comments…
Doesn’t pertain to the golf team;
As to Larry Brown and Roundball, Larry leaves a trail of penalties. He is 75 yr old — did you expect him to follow every rule and play .500 basketball?
I think not — SMU hoped with age that Brown could play legal – and he lied – and then “clarified” his answers to NCAA. You’ve got to ask if the juice is worth the squeeze – for BBall, yes.
JF
Sep 30, 2015 at 4:21 am
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
I love it. Cheaters
jakeanderson
Sep 30, 2015 at 2:54 am
this is well deserved. some people would say that god’s will was at work, and I, am one of them. i have never heard of a catholic college committing such fallacies.
Mike
Sep 30, 2015 at 8:14 am
no the priests do “other” things considered a little worse in the catholic church schools
shimmy
Sep 30, 2015 at 9:58 am
They committed a fallacy? What?
What evidence do you have that this supposed god of yours favors catholics and hates methodists?
Desmond
Sep 30, 2015 at 1:21 pm
Let’s leave God out of this one… it appears the NCAA god is money.
BB
Sep 30, 2015 at 1:31 pm
Yeah let them bugger little boys instead like you know you enjoy doing, with God on your side watching over you while you do it
shimmy
Sep 29, 2015 at 9:46 pm
Good. They deserved it.
Jay
Sep 30, 2015 at 4:17 pm
Seems to me the coach who committed the actions is the one who deserved it??
Christestrogen
Sep 29, 2015 at 5:30 pm
Jeffrey….it was/is called the “death penalty”…
I’m a Texan and remember it well….mainly it was a witch hunt by liberal talking heads to tie then governor bill Clements to impropriety….dale Hansen in particular wanted to catch Clements…
It was ridiculous….and I’m an austinite and have zero affinity for smu
Brodie Hock
Sep 29, 2015 at 4:43 pm
Merchandise at a “significantly discounted price”….if that’s against the rules than I would say a ton of colleges are guilty!
Joe
Sep 29, 2015 at 7:07 pm
There were more NCAA rules infraction than just equipment. The coach and recruiting staff are at fault, I hope some people were fired.
Keith
Sep 30, 2015 at 6:49 pm
The real fault lies on the boosters…they are the root of a lot of these infractions
Joel
Sep 29, 2015 at 3:45 pm
He’s right! The punishment doesn’t fit the crime. Its the players who are paying the price.
JF
Sep 30, 2015 at 4:21 am
Duh
JF
Sep 30, 2015 at 4:26 am
Of course it fits the crime.
If this is not the correct sentence, then they should strip the college and its players of all the awards from the years that these infractions had taken place, and the kids should not be allowed to graduate and should have to go back, if they have already graduated. The sponsor moneys and items should all have to be returned, and no further free goods should be given to this college.
Would you be willing to give out that sort of proper punishment? I would. But the sporting world is very forgiving in the USA because there’s too much money involved.
Desmond
Sep 30, 2015 at 9:17 am
It’s Donald Trump!
help us all.
Joe
Sep 29, 2015 at 3:44 pm
He admitted that he made a mistake! You have to be kidding, it was willful disregard of NCAA rules. Too bad that it has effected DeChambeau from defending his title.
This may hasten DeChambeau to turn pro.
Gary
Sep 29, 2015 at 4:27 pm
Will he be able to compete in the three majors he qualified for with the win at the US AM then?
Joe
Sep 29, 2015 at 7:05 pm
It should not effect his eligibility for the Majors.