There’s one marching order if you want to have a chance at victory in the CJ Cup Byron Nelson: You must go looooowwww!!!! Since the event moved to TPC Craig Ranch in 2021, the winning score has been 23-under 261 or lower every year, with Scottie Scheffler winning by eight strokes last May after posting a record 31-under 253.
That directive would appear to still be the case even after the recent overall of the course by World Golf Hall of Famer Lanny Wadkins. During Thursday’s first round’s morning wave alone, there were 25 players who shot 67 or lower, including five 64s and a 63. Expect the red numbers to keep coming as the Dallas area anticipates wet weather to leave the course soft and gettable.
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So who might be among those getting the getting? Brooks Koepka was the author of that Thursday 63 and seems to be playing better and better golf as his assimilation back to the PGA Tour continues. And Scheffler started off with a five-under 66 to appear like he’ll remain a threat to repeat as the champion.
The reward for going low remains high. This week’s overall prize money payout is a record $10.3 million with the winner earning $1.854 million.
Below is the prize money payout for every golfer who makes the cut this week. Come back Sunday and we’ll update the list with individual names and paydays.
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Previous Next Pause Play false Private TPC Craig Ranch McKinney, TX 3.8 5 Panelists
TPC Craig Ranch, located in the Dallas suburb of McKinney, is a Tom Weiskopf design that plays among gently rolling hills and on the limestone banks of Rowlett Creek, which crosses the course 14 times. In 2020, the course signed a five-year agreement to host the PGA Tour’s AT&T Byron Nelson. South Korean K.H. Lee captured the first two titles at TPC Craig Ranch, which has surrendered low scoring in each of the three years it’s held the event, 2021, 2022 and 2023. View Course
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Win: $1.854 million
2: $1.122 million
3: $710,700
4: $504,700
5: $422,300
6: $373,375
7: $347,625
8: $321,875
9: $201,275
10: $280,675
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11: $260,075
12: $239,475
13: $218,875
14: $198,275
15: $187,975
16: $177,675
17: $167,375
18: $157,075
19: $146,775
20: $136,475
21: $126,175
22: $115,875
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23: $107,635
24: $99,395
25: $91,155
26: $82,915
27: $79,825
28: $76,735
29: $73,645
30: $70,555
31: $67,465
32: $64,375
33: $61,285
34: $58,719
35: $56,135
36: $53,560
37: $50,985
38: $48,925
39: $46,865
40: $44,805
41: $42,745
42: $40,685
43: $38,625
44: $36,565
45: $34,505
46: $32,445
47: $30,385
48: $28,737
49: $27,295
50: $26,471
51: $25,853
52: $25,235
53: $24,823
54: $24,411
55: $24,205
56: $23,999
57: $23,793
58: $23,587
59: $23,381
60: $23,175
61: $22,969
62: $22,763
63: $22,557
64: $22,351
65: $22,145
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