FREE 05/01 PGA Cheat Sheet: CJ Cup Byron Nelson DFS Plays

The PGA Tour heads to McKinney, Texas, for THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch, a course known for its birdie-friendly setup and big greens. With a weak 154-man field headlined by Scottie Scheffler, who’s priced at a hefty $13,300 on DraftKings, roster construction will be an interesting challenge this week. The average salary sits at $7,012, but with no standout value plays and only one highly owned player projected above 20%, finding the right balance between stars and mid-range options will be critical. Expect low scoring again this year, as winning scores have consistently hit the mid-20s under par.

TPC Craig Ranch rewards strong ball striking with its emphasis on Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee and Approach, while birdie-or-better percentage will also be key in this shootout. With limited top-tier talent outside of Scheffler and Sungjae Im, there’s an opportunity to target lesser-known players who excel in those areas. Keep an eye on potential weather impacts Friday morning as thunderstorms could shake up tee times. Let’s dive into our top plays for this slate.

Premium Plays ($10,000+)

Top Play: Scottie Scheffler ($13,300)

Scottie Scheffler ($13,300) is the clear top-tier option for THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson, and his recent form makes him hard to ignore despite elevated ownership. Coming off a T8 at the RBC Heritage and a solo fourth at The Masters, Scheffler continues to showcase elite ball-striking, ranking seventh in SG: Off-the-Tee and third in SG: Approach at Harbour Town. His 93.8% make-cut rate offers an unmatched floor, while his projection of 103.2 DraftKings points highlights his ceiling potential. The course demands strong tee-to-green play, which aligns perfectly with Scheffler’s strengths. While his short game has been inconsistent lately (64th in SG: Around-the-Green last start), it’s unlikely to derail him on a track that rewards precision from tee to green.

At 38% projected ownership, Scheffler will be chalky, but it’s warranted given his combination of safety and upside. His 28.8% optimal lineup rate underscores how often he fits into winning builds despite the hefty salary. If you’re playing cash games or building balanced tournament lineups, he’s tough to fade given his consistency and skill set for this event. In GPPs, consider mixing exposure or looking for differentiation elsewhere if you’re concerned about roster construction overlap. Either way, Scheffler is firmly in play as one of the most reliable options on the slate.

Other Premium Options

• Jordan Spieth ($10,500, MakeCut: 75.7%, Own: 17.2%)
• Sungjae Im ($10,000, MakeCut: 75.7%, Own: 12.9%)

Mid-Range Plays ($8,000-$9,999)

Top Play: Si Woo Kim ($9,400)

Si Woo Kim ($9,400) presents an intriguing option for THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson, especially given his recent form and well-rounded game. Over his last four starts, Kim has delivered four straight top-25 finishes, including a T8 at the RBC Heritage where he gained strokes across all major categories. His 75.8% make-cut rate and projected 77.9 DK points suggest a reliable floor for cash lineups, while his ability to contend—evidenced by holding a 54-hole lead recently—adds upside in tournaments. The course’s emphasis on accurate driving and approach play aligns well with Kim’s strengths, making him a solid fit this week.

At 13.5% projected ownership, Kim is one of the more popular plays in the field, but the chalk feels warranted given his consistency and value metrics (8.28x). While his elevated rostership may limit differentiation in large-field GPPs, his optimal lineup rate of 10.6% indicates strong potential to justify the salary. If you’re comfortable eating some chalk, Kim is a dependable option with both safety and upside at this price point. For those seeking leverage, consider pairing him with lower-owned pivots to balance your builds.

Other Mid-Range Options

• Stephan Jaeger ($9,300, MakeCut: 68.6%, Own: 15.6%)
• Jacob Bridgeman ($8,500, MakeCut: 69.7%, Own: 12.0%)

Value Plays ($7,000-$7,999)

First Value Play: Taylor Moore ($7,500)

Taylor Moore ($7,500) presents an intriguing option for THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson, offering a strong balance of value and upside. With a 68.7% make-cut rate and a projection of 71.8 DraftKings points, he ranks second in tournament value while also leading the field in cash-game viability. His optimal lineup percentage of 14.3% reflects his potential to outperform his salary, making him a solid mid-range play. However, Moore’s recent form is a bit of a question mark as he returns from a rib injury that sidelined him since the Valspar Championship. While his baseline metrics suggest reliability, there’s some risk tied to how sharp he’ll be after this layoff.

At 13.3% projected ownership, Moore will likely be one of the more popular plays in this price range. The elevated rostership isn’t surprising given his value metrics and high ranking across key categories for this event, but it does limit his appeal as a tournament differentiator. Still, if you’re prioritizing value and cut equity in cash formats or balanced lineups, Moore makes plenty of sense despite the chalkier profile. For GPPs, consider pairing him with lower-owned players to offset his popularity while still benefiting from his strong projection at $7,500.

Second Value Play: Kevin Yu ($7,800)

Kevin Yu ($7,800) stands out as a strong mid-range option for THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson. With back-to-back top-20 finishes at the WM Phoenix Open and The Genesis Invitational, Yu’s recent form is trending in the right direction. His approach play has been sharp, gaining 2.2 strokes with his irons during the final round at Riviera, and his ability to hit greens in regulation consistently bodes well for a course that rewards precision on approach shots. A make-cut percentage of 67.5% combined with a tournament rank of 6 highlights both his reliability and upside at this price point, while his value rating of 9.0x makes him an appealing play in DFS lineups.

At a projected ownership of 9.7%, Yu’s rostership is slightly above the field average but far from prohibitive in tournaments. His optimal lineup percentage (13.8%) suggests he carries solid leverage relative to his cost, making him viable across formats. While not an elite birdie-maker compared to some higher-priced players, Yu’s consistency and recent results suggest he has both the floor and ceiling necessary to deliver value this week. For those looking for a balanced mid-tier option with reasonable ownership, Yu checks plenty of boxes heading into this event.

Other Value Options

• Rico Hoey ($7,700, MakeCut: 64.0%, Own: 8.3%)
• Lee Hodges ($7,500, MakeCut: 64.6%, Own: 9.5%)

Good luck! Make sure to check the Lineup Optimizer for latest updates before lock. Visit DFS Hero for our full suite of DFS tools including the Lineup Optimizer, Contest Simulator, Player Projections, and Ownership Projections. Use code HEROPLAY15 to get 15% off your first month!