Brendon Todd defends the AT&T Byron Nelson and Jordan Spieth will start as favourite
Lowdown: The PGA Tour remains in Texas this week for the AT&T Byron Nelson at the TPC Four Seasons Resort in Irving. Brendon Todd is the defending champion and hometown hero Jordan Spieth is in the field.
This is a home event for Jordan Spieth who will be looking to claim the title for the first time. The Masters champion comes into the event on the back of a strong finish in the Crowne Plaza Invitational. He was tied 2nd last week after a closing round of 65. But his record at TPC Las Colinas isn’t great, he’s never finished inside the top-15 here.
The TPC Four Seasons course at Las Colinas was originally designed by Jay Morrish back in 1982 but, after the 2007 tournament, D.A Weibring and Steve Wolfard oversaw a major redesign of the layout – reshaping greens and bringing more water into play. The layout now poses a more strategic test and demands creativity and solid shot-making.
This tournament began life back in 1926 as the Dallas Open. It was renamed as the Byron Nelson Classic in 1968. Since then Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Payne Stewart, Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods have been champions.
Last year Brendon Todd secured his maiden PGA Tour victory, closing with a bogey-free 66 to beat Mike Weir by two strokes.
The weather forecast for the week is pretty poor. Rain and storms look to be a distinct possibility so there could well be disruption to play.
Venue: TPC Four Seasons Resort, Irving, Texas Date: May 28-31 Course stats: par 70, 7,166 yards Purse: $7,100,000 Winner: $1,278,000 Defending Champion: Brendon Todd (-14)
TV Coverage: Thursday 28 – Sky Sports 4 from 9pm Friday 29 – Sky Sports 4 from 9pm Saturday 30 – Sky Sports 4 from 6pm Sunday 31 – Sky Sports 4 from 6pm
Player Watch: Charley Hoffman – He’s been tied 11th twice and tied 10th in the last three events in Texas. He was tied eighth in this event last season.
Marc Leishman – Has a great record at Las Colinas: Five top-12 finishes in six starts.
Ian Poulter – Keen to build on a good performance last week. He hasn’t played in this event since 2009 but the course should suit his game.
Key hole: 16th. A par-5 of 546 yards, this is a definite birdie hole. It always ranks as one of the easiest holes on the course and, if a player fails to make birdie here down the stretch, he’ll feel as though he’s dropped a shot.
