The CJ CUP Byron Nelson 2025 First Round Leader Tips: Four to go low on Thursday

Our golf tipster Jamie Worsley's busy start to the week here at Betfred Insights ends with his look at the first round of the CJ CUP Byron Nelson, starting on Thursday over in Texas.

He previews the opening round and gives his thoughts on the players who he feels have a good chance of getting off to a flying start. Check out his CJ CUP Byron Nelson 2025 FRL Tips below...

The CJ CUP Byron Nelson Odds

The opening round of THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson is forecast to be a pleasant one and with receptive conditions likely due to the storms that have dominated the buildup, the field are likely to encounter TPC Craig Ranch at its most playable. That being said, there does appear to be one side of the draw that could have an advantage.

The morning starters will begin their rounds in slightly overcast, cool and breezy conditions, with gusting 16mph winds potentially on the cards. As the clouds disappear for the afternoon starters, the temperatures are also predicted to rise to highs of 29C and with winds dropping to around 6mph, the later tee times may have the best of conditions.

I’m going to focus all of my attention on those afternoon starters and have four selections who I’m hoping can get off to a great start tomorrow.

You can read Jamie's full in-depth preview and The CJ CUP Byron Nelson 2025 Golf Tips elsewhere on Betfred Insights.

1 pt Taylor Pendrith each-way (1/4 - 5 places) @ 45/1

Start time: 12:44

Taylor Pendrith won this event last year and having claimed a first-round lead within his last three events, I’m taking the big-hitting Canadian to make a fast start in Texas.

Pendrith has recorded three top-10 finishes in 11 starts this season, the latest of which came three starts ago in the Houston Open. An event where he finished 5^th after opening with a five-under 65 to share the first-round lead.

He’s been the best driver in this field in 2025, blending his abundant power with plenty of accuracy. The irons have also looked strong, ranking 16^th of this group and gaining strokes on the greens in three of his last four starts, he has the skillset to produce another quality display at TPC Craig Ranch.

Pendrith opened with a seven-under 64 to sit 2^nd after the first round last year, before shooting further rounds of 67-63-67 to claim victory. He shouldn’t be hindered by those changes to the course setup and can prove that in tomorrow’s opening round.

0.75 pts Isaiah Salinda each-way (1/4 - 5 places) @ 70/1

Start time: 13:28

Isaiah Salinda held the first-round lead alongside Kevin Velo in the Zurich Classic last week and as an excellent driver of the ball, I fancy the rookie to again hit the front on day one of the CJ CUP Byron Nelson.

Salinda has shown plenty of promise in his rookie season so far, entering this week having missed just one of his previous eight cuts. His best finish came in Mexico – another venue at which strong drivers go well – finishing 3^rd and he was 8^th last week.

He’s another player who marries power with accuracy to excel off-the-tee, ranking 3^rd in this field. Meanwhile, he’s also been among the best first-round performers on tour, ranking 7^th of those teeing it up here.

Indeed, Salinda contributed -10 to his team’s -14 day one score last week and prior to that, he’d opened with an under-par round in seven of his previous eight starts.

0.75 pts Alejandro Tosti each-way (1/4 - 5 places) @ 70/1

Start time: 14:12

Alejandro Tosti’s strong recent form has been aided by positive starts and possessing the power to tame this long receptive course, he can drive himself to the top of the leaderboard on Thursday.

Save for a 10^th-place finish in Mexico, Tosti struggled for form earlier in the year, missing five of his first eight cuts. However, ignoring last week’s missed cut in the quirky Zurich Classic team event, he had recorded finishes of 5^th in Houston, 12^th in the Texas Open and 2^nd in the Corales Puntacana Championship on his prior three starts.

He’s the seventh-longest driver in this field and has been one of the best tee-to-green players among this group in 2025, ranking 15^th. Whilst a ranking of 34^th in round-one performance is another plus for this market.

Tosti missed the cut here on debut last year but actually started well, shooting a four-under 67 in round one. He’s in much better form now and having shared the first-round lead in Houston four starts ago, then following with two further under-par opening rounds, he can take advantage of the weather at its most benign tomorrow afternoon.

0.5 pts Jeremy Paul each-way (1/4 - 5 places) @ 100/1

Start time: 14:01

Jeremy Paul has made a taking start to life on the PGA Tour and with many a good round one display under his belt in 2025, this strong driver looks another likely type in this week’s first-round leader betting.

The German has racked up four top-25 finishes on tour this season, none more impressive than his runner-up finish in the Corales Puntacana Championship two starts ago. That’s a course that often favours long, quality drivers of the ball, and with two of his other three top 25s coming in Mexico and Puerto Rico, he looks a good fit for this course.

As mentioned, Paul is a player that

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