Johnson Wagner has issued his verdict of Jordan Spieth’s chances of victory at The CJ CUP Byron Nelson as the Texan looks to end a wait for a victory on the PGA Tour that now spans more than four years.
Spieth is one of the biggest names in the field this week at TPC Craig Ranch. He finished as the runner-up at this event back in 2022.
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And there have been some promising signs over the course of the season. Spieth has finished inside the top 25 on seven occasions this year on the PGA Tour.
Johnson Wagner assesses Jordan Spieth’s chances of winning The CJ CUP Byron Nelson
Bizarrely, however, the 32-year-old has not yet registered a top 10. He also failed to capitalise on a bright start at last week’s PGA Championship and ended up in a tie for 18th.
Nevertheless, speaking on Scorecard on CBS Sports, Johnson Wagner suggested that Spieth has an outside opportunity to win for the first time since the RBC Heritage back in 2022.
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“I think he’s got a chance, but I’ve still just not quite seen enough to think he can win. He’s had seven top 25s though, hasn’t missed a cut this season, so consistency’s getting there but it’s not that top level consistency, enough to think that he can handle being in the lead all day Sunday or all weekend,” he said.
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Wagner discounts Brooks Koepka’s hopes of victory at TPC Craig Ranch
It would take a brave man to bet on someone other than Jordan Spieth, Scottie Scheffler, Brooks Koepka, or Si-woo Kim to win in the coming days.
It is far from the strongest field on the PGA Tour schedule. Nevertheless, Wagner is not convinced that Koepka will emerge victorious as he named three players he does not think will win this week.
“Wyndham Clark for sure. I’m also going Brooks Koepka, I just don’t see the big dog putting good enough to do anything this week. And then I’ve got to drag Garrick Higgo under the bus as long as I can, just missing his tee time, firing his caddie. It’s not the caddie’s fault. He told you you were running late and you didn’t get down there,” he said.
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Wagner writing off Koepka’s chances seems particularly intriguing. He is the third best player on the PGA Tour this year when it comes to strokes gained approach.
While he is down in 141st for strokes gained putting, the greens at TPC Craig Ranch are likely to be a lot easier for the five-time major champion.
Certainly, Koepka will probably feel that he has had few better opportunities to win since his return to the PGA Tour.
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