CJ Cup Byron Nelson 2026 First-Round Leader Tips: Dave Tindall's three to back up to 80/1

CJ Cup Byron Nelson weather forecast for Thursday

The familiar strong Texas winds don't really materialise on day one, with the highest gusts around 12mph in the morning. They're steady at around 10mph in the afternoon.

Temperatures start in the high 60s and peak in the high 70s around 4pm.

There's also a threat of rain from 1pm although the heavier stuff is likely to drop after play has finished.

It's hard to see any real bias.

First Round Leader Bet 1: Tony Finau @ 66/167.00

Tony Finau seems to have surpassed in the betting by the younger rising stars this week but Big Tone can still do some damage in this market even if he's not really doing it over 72 holes.

In his last eight individual starts, Finau has 18-hole positions of 2, 4, 8, 10, 11 and 17. He's shot in the 60s in six of his latest seven events.

The second came via a 66 in last month's Texas Open while he's been FRL in two other events in the Lone Star State: the Charles Schwab Challenge and the Houston Open.

This is his first start at TPC Craig Ranch but the course has been revamped ahead of this year's event so, to some extent, it's new for everyone.

First Round Leader Bet 2: Mark Hubbard @ 80/181.00

Mark Hubbard has some good history at TPC Craig Ranch.

In just two appearances, he's shot three 65s and the most recent (Sunday last year) helped him finish in the top five.

That number '65' pops up again as it's the score Hubbard record in the opening round of last month's Texas Open which gave him a piece of the first-round lead.

He fell away there but the 36-year-old, who lives in Texas, hit back by finishing runner-up at the Myrtle Beach Classic on his latest start.

Hubbard signed for a 66 to sit fourth after 18 holes while he later added a 64 on Friday so he's been racking up the birdies.

First Round Leader Bet 3: Blades Brown @ 50/151.00

I've gone for teenage sensation Blades Brown in my outright preview and he has to be worth a go in this market too.

Brown made eyes widen when shooting a second-round 60 at The American Express at the start of the season and he's since reeled off a series of good finishes across the Korn Ferry Tour (a second and a third) and the PGA Tour (a third and a ninth).

In his last three events he's posted a 64 and four 66s so the birdies are flowing.

And wind back to last year, Brown flew out of the blocks with a 61 in another Texas event - the Korn Ferry's Veritex Bank Championship.

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