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AT&T Byron Nelson Expert Picks

Keith Mitchell is my go to at Trinity Forest.

The Honda Classic - Final Round Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

Tournament Information

AT&T Byron Nelson
Date: May 9th – 12th
Course: Trinity Forest Golf Club
Purse - $7.7MM ($1.4MM to winner)
FedEx points – 500 to winner(s)
2018 Winner: Aaron Wise (-23)

Course

Trinity Forest Golf Club. Located in Dallas, this course was founded in 2014 but did not open until late in 2016. Built on a landfill and designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, this 7,450 yard par 71 course will make its 2nd appearance as host for the AT&T Byron Nelson this year. Host to SMU collect, Trinity hosts Bermuda grass, large bunkers and some rolling hills. Attempting to mimic a links style course, it is far from the more native courses in northwest and Great Britain. This course will be open with lush grass but requires a tactical approach often deciding which side you want to pursue and allow gravity to aid each shot.

AT&T Byron Nelson - Final Round Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

My Starting 4

Marc Leishman (2nd selection this year) — His last two years have both been top 15 finishes. Currently 22nd in official world golf ranking, he’s 16th in strokes gained approaching the green.

Keith Mitchell (1st selection this year) — He finished 6th here under the new venue last year. In addition to that he’s 23rd in FedEx points, he has missed just one cut in the last seven tournaments which includes a win (Honda Classic) and two other top ten finishes (including an 8th place finish last week at Quail Hollow). He is 36th in total strokes gained and 11th in strokes gained off the tee.

Russel Knox (1st selection this year) — He finished 16th here last year. He has missed just two cuts in 15 starts this year so he’s safe from that front, the issue is that he rarely finishes in the top 10 (one 10th place finish). He continues to fall in the 20-45 area.

Zurich Classic Of New Orleans - Round Two Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images

Kevin Tway (1st selection this year) — He finished 20th here in 2017 and ninth here last year. He has had quite the season, after a great stretch in Hawaii to start the year (including a handful of top 25 finishes) he went stone cold for a month and a half missing six consecutive cuts. He rebounded a few weeks ago at the Masters (36th) followed by a 13th place finish at the Zurich Classic. He’s been fantastic around the green sitting 24th in strokes gained there.

My Bench 2

Nick Taylor (1st selection this year) — He was ninth here in 2017 and 32nd here last year. He’s playing well on the greens this year sitting 46th in strokes gained putting. He has missed just three cuts in 18 tournanaments and now has nine consecutive cuts made. During that time he has one top ten finish and three top 25 finishes.

Scott Piercy (1st selection this year) — He finished 20th here in 2017 and 32nd here last year. Scott has back to back top 15 finishes coming into AT&T finishing 3rd at RBC Heritage and 13th at Zurich Classic. Scott is 31st in Birdie Average.


2019 Stats

Starting 4: Avg finish 44th (36th percentile)
Bench 2: Avg finish 58th (46th percentile)