News
5 things we learned from the final round of the Open Championship
Since Saturday morning, we had an inkling that Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson would revisit the famous 1977 Duel In The Sun of Watson and Nicklaus. On Sunday, their ringer score was 59, 12-under par. That left the rest of the field to fight for exemptions and honor. As for us, here are the five things we learned on Day 4 of the 2016 Open Championship..
Henrik Stenson turned in the greatest major performance of a new era
For the week, the Swede finished 20-under par, equaled Mickelson’s opening salvo with a 63 of his own on Sunday, and broke Tiger Woods’ Open record of 19-under at St. Andrews. He needed every great swing, too, because Mickelson would not go away.
Related: Henrik Stenson’s Winning WITB
Stenson’s first major championship win was also the first ever for a man from Sweden, allowing him to join countrywomen Liselotte Neumann, Annika Sorenstam and Anna Nordqvist as titleholders of golf’s greatest tournaments. He also kept alive an odd streak of first-time major winners at Troon, joining Mark Calcavecchia, Justin Leonard and Todd Hamilton as Open champions since 1989.
The winner of the gold medal and the Champion Golfer of the Year… #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/v7BAPIxiXN
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 17, 2016
The most difficult four-hole stretch in golf
The opening quadrilateral of Royal Troon’s back nine can make a case for that award, averaging between 4.2 and 4.6 strokes during the week. Whether it was Bubba Watson tugging an approach onto the railroad tracks on hole No. 11, Rickie Fowler hitting two balls out of bounds from the fairway on the same hole, or Thomas Pieters snapping his approach iron while train-wrecking with a nine, there was little love for holes 10 through 13 this week at Royal Troon.
The Railway has claimed two more victims – Thomas Pieters and one of Thomas Pieters' clubs: https://t.co/9lYKl2XUQu pic.twitter.com/fVKN4bCUK7
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) July 17, 2016
Phil Mickelson has found an equilibrium in the heat of competition
He has certainly lost majors that he should have won, and perhaps those misses have given Lefty a sense of perspective as he closes out his career on the regular Tour. At age 46, Mickelson understands that guys his age tend to not compete well for major titles, but he doesn’t plan to go forgotten into Ryder Cup captaincy, Champions Tour membership or any other non-PGA Tour element. While golfers ahead and behind him were making poor decisions, biting off more than they could chew, and imploding each of the four days, Phil kept his eyes focused, his strategy consistent, and his shots on target. His loss wasn’t as gut-wrenching as Tom Watson’s 2009 heartbreaker, but it reminded us that we have been fortunate to watch him assail golf courses with abandon for over two decades.
Mickelson saves par. The battle continues down the last. #TheOpenhttps://t.co/J3w8RDnE81
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 17, 2016
Golfers who might build from Sunday’s round
Remember what jump-started Jason Day last year at St. Andrews? With a chance to join the title playoff on the final green, Day left his putt short, in the jar. From there, he went on to win the Canadian Open, the PGA Championship and the Players Championship over the next eight months. Rory McIlroy moved up 13 spots, into the top five, with a Sunday 67. Steve Stricker and J.B. Holmes each jumped up two spots, into 4th and 3rd places, respectively. On the other side were Bill Haas (75 to drop to T9) and Andrew Johnston (73 to fall 4 spots to 8th place) and Rio-bound Matt Kuchar, down 21 spots with a 76. Might one of these six golfers use Troon as a springboard to greatness? We’ll soon find out.
Return to sender. Kuchar went back and forth (and back and forth) at the Postage Stamp: https://t.co/LGYQDbQM6k pic.twitter.com/Z7byEzSn3x
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) July 17, 2016
England might have the brightest future in golf
Four golfers with the red cross and white field to the left of their name on the scoreboard finished in the top twelve, topped only by the USA. And their names weren’t Willett or Rose or Westwood or Casey. True followers of the game have known who the Andrews (Sullivan and Johnston), Matthew Southgate and Tyrell Hatton are for months, if not years. Brexit notwithstanding, the coming years should see a surge in wins from this new generation of English stars, heralded by Danny Willett’s triumph at the Masters in April.
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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
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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News
Morning 9: McIlroy, Lowry win Zurich | Green repeats on LPGA | Steele victorious down under
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#6
Jul 18, 2016 at 10:23 pm
ZJ’s bald spot is hard to look at, somebody please tell him to just shave it all off
Ronald Montesano
Jul 22, 2016 at 7:45 am
He might not take the advice seriously.
NAB
Jul 18, 2016 at 10:08 pm
can the winning difference, -20 by stenton hendrik (lowest in the open history) vs top 10 average of -4, be attributed solely to human factor?
the top 5 or 10 at any open hv to b in top form with the best arsenal, after qualifying, selection, cut etc.
Ronald Montesano
Jul 22, 2016 at 7:45 am
He appears to be as fit as they come, shirt on or off. His arms are like branches of trees, and his swing was so repetitive, all week.
Jack always
Jul 18, 2016 at 6:04 am
63 last day say no more awesome!!
Ronald Montesano
Jul 18, 2016 at 6:22 am
Sublime final round with those two. We the viewers were fortunate to have access. Two competitors enjoying each other’s company but focused solely on their own performances. Golf lost to greatness is no defeat.
Troy Vayanos
Jul 17, 2016 at 11:51 pm
Phil showed that he can still play with the younger guys on tour and put up a fantastic performance. In any other major tournament he would have claimed victory.
Stenson showed great fighting qualities to win his first major despite many people thinking his time had passed.
Will be an Open remembered for many years to come.
Ronald Montesano
Jul 22, 2016 at 7:46 am
Perhaps he gives hope to Lee Westwood? Luke Donald? Sergio Garcia?
RG
Jul 17, 2016 at 5:28 pm
I was so impressed when Phil took iron off the tee on the par 5 then hit 3wood. There are different ways to attack and sometimes finding the fairway, even if you are further back, is the best way.
Ronald Montesano
Jul 18, 2016 at 6:24 am
A few weeks back, I played a tournament on a local course with seven driveable par four holes. I know, that’s a lot. The young guys hit driver every time and reached near or on the green with many. Problem was, many trees near the green would leave you ten yards, twenty yards from glory, but with no shot. My plan was to lay back with 4 iron on every one, over the course of two days. The plan worked, as I always had a shot. It took me some years to learn that strategy wins out over strength, but the lesson is a valuable one.
golfraven
Jul 17, 2016 at 4:36 pm
Glat to see Stenson win in such a style. Probably the best final round I have seen in a decade, that was special. I have walked a round inside the ropes with Stenson and he is really fun to watch. Once the putter is going he is unstoppable. Big win big man ????????
Redx
Jul 17, 2016 at 5:19 pm
Agreed. I thought JDay holding off Speith at Whislting Straits was a great display but this Open was at another level altogether for head to head battles. Phil threw absolutely everything at Stenson, who responded brilliantly. A duel for the ages I suspect.
All class Henrik, all class!
Ronald Montesano
Jul 18, 2016 at 6:26 am
I confess I hadn’t seen a putter that lit in some time. No crack in that egg, and a major title properly and rightly owned by a complete performance. I’m sure that Sergio watched and said, hey, there’s hope for me, but I still have work to do.
Redx
Jul 20, 2016 at 5:53 am
I think Sergio’s still got every chance RM. He’s fit, healthy and enjoying life. Plays a judicious schedule. Has a win on tour this year and has shown good colour in both the US Open and The Open. All positives. Wanamaker bid?
Ronald Montesano
Jul 22, 2016 at 7:49 am
Redx,
Baltusrol has a recent way of identifying repeat major champs, so it doesn’t bode well for Sergio. I wonder who his caddie is and how much he truly helps. In this day, that caddie-player relationship is critical. It might be time for a change, but is the proper caddie available? Maybe Joe Lacava?