HP Byron Nelson Championship

The PGA tour heads west this week to the TPC Four Seasons Resort in Irving, Texas.  

Playing over 7166 yards, this par 70 course is slightly less demanding than last weeks test so expect to see some low scores posted if the weather is fine. Last year saw Keegan Bradley announce his arrival on the world stage with his playoff victory over Ryan Palmer in some very challenging conditions. 

Predictions for this week are proving very difficult. Many of the past winners here have come straight off a poor run of form, had of a few previous missed cuts at this track or have been debutants - This doesn't leave us a lot to go on! As a result, its probably worth looking at a few of the longer priced outsiders to get some good value. Higher variance but equally greater rewards.

Ernie Els 3pts E/W @ 33/1 (Ladbrokes) 

The shortest price of all this weeks picks but the first name i come to that i feel offers decent value. 

Despite his MC last week, Els is in great form this year and i fully expect him to be back challenging at the head of the field this week. He hasn't played here since 2006 when he finished T13 along with a T10 and T7 in the two years previous - he clearly enjoys the course. While the course has undergone a few changes over the years, notably it's lengthening in 2008, i would be surprised if it makes a big difference to Ernies ability to post another low score this week.

Robert Garrigus - 3pts E/W @ 80/1 (Ladbrokes)

With two 2nd places to his name already this season & five top 25s from his 12 starts, Garrigus is shaping up nicely for a 2nd PGA tour win in the near future! Ranked 3rd on tour in driving distance, his length off the tee should help him attack the greens & post some low scores. Having finished T16, T26 and T20 in his last 3 starts here, Garrigus clearly enjoys the course and given his course experience & solid form this year he should be challenging for the top spots come Sunday. 

D.A. Points - 2pts E/W @ 55/1 (Bet365)

Coming off the back off a 2nd place finish at the Wells Fargo, Points is having a fairly solid season so far - Three top 10s & 6 top 25s from his 13 starts. His record at TPC Four Seasons is also very impressive having finished T40 last year in some very challenging conditions and T7 & 3rd the two years previous. His withdrawal from the Players does concern me a little but hopefully his prompt return suggests it wasn't anything too serious! 

Blake Adams 1pt E/W @ 100/1 (Betfred)

The first of my outside picks this week, Adams is shaping up nicely coming off the back of his T12 at the Players as well as a top 30 finish on his last visit to Texas in April. Despite missing the cut here in last years difficult conditions he finished T2 here in his first visit to the course in 2010. Adams has some solid all round stats and offers up some value at odds of 100/1. 

James Driscoll 1pt E/W @ 125/1 (Bet365)

Another outsider to keep a close eye on, Driscoll seems to be showing some form lately having posted two top 10 finishes since the start of April! Driscoll has some solid course form too having finished T35, T59 and T8 in his last 3 starts here. Ranked 22nd in scrambling and 55th in driving distance this year, his solid stats suggest he has the tools to challenge for the top spots this week.

Others to consider... 

John Huh 2pts E/W @ 55/1 (Bet365) - Huh is definitely one to watch! From his 13 starts this year he has already posted three top 10's including a win and 2nd place finish in his last visit to Texas. And all this on his first year on tour!

Harrison Frazar 1pt E/W @ 100/1 (Paddy Power) - After a very strong start to the year, Frazars form has dropped away somewhat with a series of missed cuts however the last two starts have hinted at a return to form for the Texas native. Last years T14 finish here came off the back of 5 consecutive missed cuts & his T45 and T16 in the two years prior to that confirm his ability on this track. 

Graham Deleat 1pt E/W @ 150/1 (SkyBet) - Delaet is another debutant who is having a pretty impressive first season.  Two top 10's on tour already this season from his 13 starts show his ability to challenge for the top places. Ranked 13th in driving distance should help him post another low score this week.

Hunter Haas 1pt E/W @ 150/1 (Ladbrokes) - Haas is a bit of a gamble given his withdrawal from last weeks Players Championship citing a back injury. I am assuming he is healthy again given he is immediately back in action this week. T8 in his last start in Texas in april and a T14 finish on his debut here last season suggest he enjoys playing in Texas & could be one to watch this week. Surely worth a dabble given odds of 150/1