The HP Byron Nelson dates to 1956 (’45-’55 the Dallas Open), and although since ’94 the 1st two rounds were played on Cottonwood, it has played all rounds on the TPC Four Seasons since ’08. Its 7166 yards, par 70, and the record is 19 under carded by Sabbatini in ’09. Its generous off the tee and on approach but is tougher for up and down and putting. Experience counts and its wind affected, the winners either side of Sabbatini having hit 10-15 shots higher.

Past winnerslining up include Bradley (defending), Day, Sabbatini, Scott, Verplank (also runner-up), Wetterich, Singh, Mickelson (’96 also runner-up), and Eels (’95) along with runners-up; Palmer, Overton, Adams, Gay, and Davis.

Phil Mickelson brings the No 1 rank the 2nd week running but in a field which lacks the depth of the Players. He’s off 2 mid 20 finishes, probably the busyness of his Hall of Fame induction making last week difficult, and he’d gone top 5s the previous two including 3rd in the Masters. He’s 4 top 10s the last 8, is suited by the scrambling (tour leader) and putting requirements here, and brings plenty of course form; the winner in ’96, runner-up in 2000, and 3rd at his last appearance, ’07.
(ASAP Byron Nelson Rank 1)

Matt Kuchar looked pretty excited after his Players victory. He did it cool though, not seriously challenged the last 9 and he’s so consistent is just the type to keep it rolling. He’s 35% top 10 the past 12 months including 3rd the Masters three back when he tied the lead with about 3 to play. He’s the epitomy of determined, a quality approach and consistent all clubs. He was 6th last year going 69-71-68-72 and if it blows he’ll be as good as any.
(ASAP Byron Nelson Rank 2)

Jason Dufner couldn’t back up his Zurich Classic victory in the Players, probably not surprising. He’ll be keen to reassert here and he wasn’t far off in the Masters, 24th, a few back. He’s 30% top 10, the runner-up in the PGA last year, and should be suited by the fairways. He’d need to pick up on the putt but closed 69 when 8th last year.
(ASAP Byron Nelson Rank 3)

Keegan Bradley missed his 2nd cut 2 back at Quail Hollow but went even enough for 35th last week. He’s still 3 top 10s the last 8, and as the defending champion which he managed at first look, opening 66 and closing 68, you’d respect.
(ASAP Byron Nelson Rank 4)

Carl Pettersson poked up around it late in the Players going 69-69 over the weekend for 10th. He’s 28% top 10, won the Heritage 4 back which followed runner-up at Houston. He can be difficult to follow but is pretty solid right now, was 4th in this in ’08, and would have managed better than 40th last year but for a 3rd round 76.
(ASAP Byron Nelson Rank 5)

Brian Davis is another who had a look at times through the Players, opening 68 before closing 75 for 25th. Although he’s gone unpaid here a few times he was runner-up in ’09, 2 off Sabbatini’s record breaker, and is pretty consistent right now, 4 top 15s the last 6.
(ASAP Byron Nelson Rank 6)

Ernie Els won this 17 years ago. He missed the cut at the Players but was runner-up in the Zurich, 4th at Bay Hill, 5th in the Transitions, and going quite well. The ‘Big Easy’ looks pretty relaxed out there these days bit it disguises renewed ambition and while he hasn’t played this for a while he knows it well enough and when he won he was first up anyway.
(ASAP Byron Nelson Rank 7)

Adam Scott opened 68 but drifted out to 15th in the Players. He’s been top 10 twice here including the ’08 play off victory. He’s 47% top 10 over 12 months and hasn’t been outside the top 20 in just a handful of starts this year. Multi talented and his recent low turn out numbers don’t seem to be affecting him.
(ASAP Byron Nelson Rank 8)

Louis Oosthuizen was absolutely flying prior to the Players where he missed the cut. Although 1st up he might be okay here ranking high for GIR and prior to last week went 3rd at Houston and runner-up the Masters before winning the Malaysian Open.
(ASAP Byron Nelson Rank 10)

Jeff Overton missed the cut last week but has shown signs this year, his best 4th at Houston, and he’s 4 top 20s from ten. He’s long, low on putts per round, and has 2 top 10s here when runner-up in 2010 and when opening 64 last year before following that with a 74 to wind up 8th.
(ASAP Byron Nelson Rank 11)

Ryan Palmer followed his 4th in the Zurich by missing the cut in the Players. He’s been averaging around 30th and around 20% top 20 over 18 months but was runner-up last year when he opened 65-67 before closing 73-73.
(ASAP Byron Nelson Rank 14)

John Rollins combines missed cuts with top 25s lately, the 25th last week including a 3rd round 69. He big and consistent off the tee, a quality ball striker who just needs to find it on the green. He’s managed a few top 20s here including last year when he opened 68 before finishing 6th.
(ASAP Byron Nelson Rank 18)

Jason Day’s best this year is runner-up in Qatar but he was 9th at Quail Hollow before missing the cut last week. His putter runs hot and cold, colder lately, but he won this first up in 2010 and closed 69-67 for 5th last year.
(ASAP Byron Nelson Rank 32)

Charley Hoffman is off 2 missed cuts which followed 13th the Valero and 8th the Heritage when he carded a 2nd round 65. He’s another that plays this part of the world better and brings 2 top 10s in this.
(ASAP Byron Nelson Rank 33)

Rory Sabbatini is hard to have bringing 7 missed cuts including his last two but he did mange 17th at Harbour Town 3 back. He makes the list as the record holder here at 19 under when he beat Davis by two.
(ASAP Byron Nelson Rank 89)