PGA 2022: Byron Nelson Classic betting preview

This is the week before the PGA Championship and big events always influence the field before and after, for better or worse depending on how you look at it. 

This week most are expecting low scores as the course gives golfers a lot of ground to work with and helps build their confidence. 

Scottie Scheffler is playing his first event since winning at the Masters last month (except the alternate-shot format Zurich Classic of New Orleans). The top-ranked golfer in the world is on some run right now. He has won his past two tournaments, three of his last four, and four of his last six. That is about as in form as it gets. 

Justin Thomas has the next best odds but he has not won an event yet in 2022 and his best finish was third at the Valspar.

Less than half of the top 10 in the World Golf Rankings are participating this week in Dallas, a city with the rare distinction of hosting two PGA events over the course of the season. 

Event Details

Dates: May 12-15
Course: TPC Craig Ranch, Dallas, Texas
Purse: $9,100,000

Top Odds

• Scottie Scheffler +900
• Justin Thomas +1000
• Xander Schauffele +1600
• Dustin Johnson +1800
• Jordan Spieth +1800
• Sam Burns +1800
• Will Zalatoris +2200
• Joaquin Niemann +2200
• Hideki Matsuyama +2500
• Tommy Fleetwood +3500
• Matt Kuchar +4000
• Aaron Wise +4000
• Marc Leishman +4000
• Jason Day +4000
• Cameron Champ +4000
• Talor Gooch +4000
• Adam Scott +4000

Bets to Consider

Dustin Johnson Top 5 (+400)

This is obviously not as good a payoff as if he puts it all together and wins the event, which he is more than capable of, but it gives us some wiggle room with one of the top players in the world and +400 for a hold of four days is not too bad. He is 11th in the rankings so even though his last PGA win was more than two years ago (2020 Masters) he has still been playing pretty good golf. 

Joaquin Niemann +2200

I have seen odds on Niemann over +3000 so definitely shop around for the best price. He should be great on a course where you don't have to be as precise with your first and second shots. There are going to be some low scores and he has already proved he knows how to win an event, winning the Genesis earlier this season. 

Will Zalatoris +2200

He is in the same range as Niemann and has been close a few times in 2022 with four top 6 finishes. The only thing that gives me pause is that he was not great at this course last year, finishing 17th.

Sam Burns +1800

Burns finished second last year, just a few strokes off the lead, so we know he can perform at this course. He has won the Valspar two years in a row, demonstrating that when he is good at a course he can repeat that performance, making this one really worth a shot. 

Scottie Scheffler Top 5 (+270)

It is hard to pick an outright winner of a golf tournament, that is why even when there is a solid favorite you are getting odds of +700 or better. Scheffler is in great form and has been all season. He has finished in the top 5 in five of his last 14 events. There is basically no reason not to take this bet other than he has not been great at this course in the past.