PGA Tour
Taylor Moore Takes Charge at TPC Craig Ranch
Taylor Moore has stormed to the front at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson after a stunning opening 62, sitting nine under par and one clear of Brooks Koepka and Jesper Svensson. A field packed with quality has scattered across the leaderboard, with seven players bunched at seven under, but Moore’s ruthless start has set the tone for the week ahead at TPC Craig Ranch.
Our Pre-Tournament Pick
Jordan Spieth opened with a one-over 68 to sit three under par. He’s inside the top 20 but already seven shots adrift of the leader after just one round. The damage control phase begins on Friday, and the Dallas native will need to find something special to work his way back into contention from a challenging position.
Who’s in Contention
Moore has laid down a marker at 12/1 with bet365, though his nine-shot lead after 18 holes means the market is pricing him tight. Brooks Koepka at 6/1 sits just one back and remains the most feared competitor in a group that also features Si Woo Kim at 5.5/1 in fourth place.
The chasing pack is tight. Seven players are bunched at seven under par, including Michael Thorbjornsen (14/1), Keith Mitchell (14/1), and Stephan Jaeger (16/1). This is a tournament that could turn on its head quickly. A good Friday can bring a dozen players within striking distance.
Round 2 Betting Angles
Watch the birdie machines in the chasing group. Si Woo Kim at 5.5/1 looks a solid play for a low round. He sits just two back and the South Korean has the form to close gaps rapidly. Any player in that seven-under group posting a mid-60s round will suddenly be a genuine threat to Moore’s lead.
Conversely, Moore’s position is vulnerable. A single bad round could evaporate a nine-shot cushion against elite competition. Koepka’s experience in contention and the firepower in this field means Friday will be a proper test of his composure.
The cut comes after Round 2, so survival is secured for the leading pack. The intrigue lies in whether anyone can match Moore’s scoring pace or whether he’ll extend his advantage into the weekend.
Our Updated Pick
Odds: 5.5/1 – bet365
Kim sits four under par and just two shots back with aggressive golf intact. At 5.5/1, he represents the sharpest value in the chasing group. TPC Craig Ranch has proven scoreable this week, and Kim’s track record suggests he can post a low round to put real heat on Moore heading into the weekend.
Top 5 After Round 1
| Pos | Player | R1 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taylor Moore | 62 | -9 |
| 2 | Brooks Koepka | 63 | -8 |
| 3 | Jesper Svensson | 63 | -8 |
| 4 | Si Woo Kim | 64 | -7 |
| 5 | Michael Thorbjornsen | 64 | -7 |
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