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  • 21 Aug, 2019

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Byron Nelson Golf Classic

The Byron Nelson is a golf tournament in Texas on the PGA Tour, currently hosted by TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, northeast of Dallas. Held in May, it is one of two PGA Tour stops in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex – which until the 2020-21 PGA Tour, was the only metropolitan area to host two events on separate courses in the area (Las Vegas and Savannah have since hosted two events on two separate courses, both of which were pandemic-related changes). The tournament is the leading fundraiser for charity on the PGA Tour and has raised more than $143 million. For much of its history, it was the only PGA Tour stop named after a professional golfer, and remains one of only two such events, along with the Arnold Palmer Invitational. As host, Byron Nelson (1912–2006) commonly made appearances during the tournament. It is hosted by the Salesmanship Club of Dallas, a 600-member civic organization, and has benefited the club's nonprofit Momentous Institute since its inception.

For its first several decades, the tournament was played at various courses in Dallas. Nelson, a Texas native raised in Fort Worth, was the tournament's first winner in 1944, when it was played at Lakewood Country Club. The following year it was played at Dallas Country Club, and then in 1946 moved to Brook Hollow Golf Club. For the better part of the next decade the event was not contested, until two iterations of it were held in 1956, both at Preston Hollow Country Club. In 1957, the event moved to Glen Lake Country Club before it began a decade-long relationship with Oak Cliff Country Club, from 1958 to 1967.

In 1968, the event was renamed the Byron Nelson Golf Classic and its title, through a series of sponsors, has continuously included Nelson's name. That same year the event moved to Preston Trail Golf Club, where it was played through 1982, then moved to venues in Irving: Las Colinas Sports Club (1983–1985) and TPC at Las Colinas (1986–1993).

Beginning in 1994, the tournament was played at two courses, the Tournament Players Course and the Cottonwood Valley Course, both located at the Four Seasons. Previously only the TPC was used, but since the tournament was played in May (during the height of the North Texas storm season), the weather played havoc with the tournament in some years, causing several delays and shortened tournaments. Therefore, the decision was made to add the Cottonwood Valley course in order to shorten the amount of time needed to complete the first two rounds. The first two rounds were played on both courses (each player played one round on each course); after the cut was determined, the TPC is used exclusively for the final two rounds. However, in 2008 the tournament reverted to using only the TPC course, which was significantly renovated.

Hewlett-Packard (HP) bought the previous title sponsor, Electronic Data Systems (EDS) in mid-2008. The agreement ran through 2014, with AT&T becoming the title sponsor in 2015. The tournament moved from the Four Seasons course in Irving to the new Trinity Forest Golf Club, southeast of downtown Dallas, in 2018. Not played in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it moved north to TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney in 2021. In 2024, CJ Group replaced AT&T as title sponsor under a ten-year agreement, rebranding it as the CJ Cup Byron Nelson (reusing a title previously used for a former early-season event hosted in South Korea).

Tournament highlights

  • 1956: Peter Thomson, a five-time winner of The Open Championship shoots a final round 63, then makes birdie on the first two holes of sudden death to defeat Gene Littler and Cary Middlecoff. It was his one and only PGA Tour victory in the United States.
  • 1976: Mark Hayes becomes the first wire to wire winner of the Nelson.
  • 1981: Bruce Lietzke defeated Tom Watson in a playoff spoiling Watson's bid for a 4th straight Nelson triumph.
  • 1985: Bob Eastwood defeated Payne Stewart in a playoff after coming to the 72nd hole trailing Stewart by three shots. Eastwood made birdie on the final hole while Stewart made double bogey. Stewart made yet another double bogey on the first hole of sudden death to give Eastwood the title.
  • 1994: Neal Lancaster won the first ever six-player sudden death playoff in PGA Tour history. He made a birdie on the first playoff hole to defeat Tom Byrum, Mark Carnevale, David Edwards, Yoshi Mizumaki, and David Ogrin.
  • 2005: Tiger Woods' record streak of 142 cuts made came to an end at this tournament.
  • 2006: After graduating from Q school, Brett Wetterich's win propels him to a surprise Ryder Cup appearance.
  • 2008: Australian Adam Scott sank a 48-foot putt on the third playoff hole to clinch victory over American Ryan Moore.
  • 2010: At age 16, Jordan Spieth (the defending U.S. Junior Amateur champion, and a student at nearby Jesuit College Preparatory School) became the youngest player to play in the tournament, courtesy of a sponsor's exemption (the first one granted since 1995). Spieth would make the cut (becoming the sixth-youngest person in PGA Tour history to make a professional tour event cut) and finish 16th overall. (In 2011 Spieth would again be granted a sponsor's exemption and would again make the cut, finishing 32nd overall.)
  • 2013: Keegan Bradley hits a course-record 60 (−10) in the first round. Bradley leads the first three rounds, but Bae Sang-moon earned the win.
  • 2018: Aaron Wise sets the tournament record.
  • 2019: Kang Sung-hoon won his first PGA Tour title in his 159th start. Scott Piercy went bogey-free for the entire tournament, becoming the first to do so in a 72-hole PGA Tour event since Charles Howell III at the 2010 Greenbrier Classic.

Winners

Year Winner Score To par Margin of
victory
Runner(s)-up Purse
(US$)
Winner's
share ($)
Ref.
CJ Cup Byron Nelson
2024 Canada Taylor Pendrith 261 −23 1 stroke United States Ben Kohles 9,500,000 1,710,000
AT&T Byron Nelson
2023 Australia Jason Day (2) 261 −23 1 stroke United States Austin Eckroat
South Korea Kim Si-woo
9,500,000 1,710,000
2022 South Korea Lee Kyoung-hoon (2) 262 −26 1 stroke United States Jordan Spieth 9,100,000 1,638,000
2021 South Korea Lee Kyoung-hoon 263 −25 3 strokes United States Sam Burns 8,100,000 1,458,000
2020 Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2019 South Korea Kang Sung-hoon 261 −23 2 strokes United States Matt Every
United States Scott Piercy
7,900,000 1,422,000
2018 United States Aaron Wise 261 −23 3 strokes Australia Marc Leishman 7,700,000 1,386,000
2017 United States Billy Horschel 268 −12 Playoff Australia Jason Day 7,500,000 1,350,000
2016 Spain Sergio García (2) 265 −15 Playoff United States Brooks Koepka 7,300,000 1,314,000
2015 Australia Steven Bowditch 259 −18 4 strokes United States Charley Hoffman
United States Scott Pinckney
United States Jimmy Walker
7,100,000 1,278,000
HP Byron Nelson Championship
2014 United States Brendon Todd 266 −14 2 strokes Canada Mike Weir 6,900,000 1,242,000
2013 South Korea Bae Sang-moon 267 −13 2 strokes United States Keegan Bradley 6,700,000 1,206,000
2012 United States Jason Dufner 269 −11 1 stroke United States Dicky Pride 6,500,000 1,170,000
2011 United States Keegan Bradley 277 −3 Playoff United States Ryan Palmer 6,500,000 1,170,000
2010 Australia Jason Day 270 −10 2 strokes United States Blake Adams
United States Brian Gay
United States Jeff Overton
6,500,000 1,170,000
2009 South Africa Rory Sabbatini 261 −19 2 strokes England Brian Davis 6,500,000 1,170,000
EDS Byron Nelson Championship
2008 Australia Adam Scott 273 −7 Playoff United States Ryan Moore 6,400,000 1,152,000
2007 United States Scott Verplank 267 −13 1 stroke England Luke Donald 6,300,000 1,134,000
2006 United States Brett Wetterich 268 −12 1 stroke South Africa Trevor Immelman 6,200,000 1,116,000
2005 United States Ted Purdy 265 −15 1 stroke United States Sean O'Hair 6,200,000 1,116,000
2004 Spain Sergio García 270 −10 Playoff United States Robert Damron
United States Dudley Hart
5,800,000 1,044,000
2003 Fiji Vijay Singh 265 −15 2 strokes Zimbabwe Nick Price 5,600,000 1,008,000
Verizon Byron Nelson Classic
2002 Japan Shigeki Maruyama 266 −14 2 strokes United States Ben Crane 4,800,000 864,000
2001 United States Robert Damron 263 −17 Playoff United States Scott Verplank 4,500,000 810,000
GTE Byron Nelson Classic
2000 Sweden Jesper Parnevik 269 −11 Playoff United States Davis Love III
United States Phil Mickelson
4,000,000 720,000
1999 United States Loren Roberts 262 −18 Playoff United States Steve Pate 3,000,000 540,000
GTE Byron Nelson Golf Classic
1998 United States John Cook 265 −15 3 strokes United States Fred Couples
United States Harrison Frazar
United States Hal Sutton
2,500,000 450,000
1997 United States Tiger Woods 263 −17 2 strokes United States Lee Rinker 1,800,000 324,000
1996 United States Phil Mickelson 265 −15 2 strokes Australia Craig Parry 1,500,000 270,000
1995 South Africa Ernie Els 263 −17 3 strokes United States Robin Freeman
United States Mike Heinen
United States D. A. Weibring
1,300,000 234,000
1994 United States Neal Lancaster 132 −9 Playoff United States Tom Byrum
United States Mark Carnevale
United States David Edwards
Japan Yoshi Mizumaki
United States David Ogrin
1,200,000 216,000
1993 United States Scott Simpson 270 −10 1 stroke United States Billy Mayfair
United States Corey Pavin
United States D. A. Weibring
1,200,000 216,000
1992 United States Billy Ray Brown 199 −11 Playoff United States Ben Crenshaw
United States Raymond Floyd
United States Bruce Lietzke
1,100,000 198,000
1991 Zimbabwe Nick Price 270 −10 1 stroke United States Craig Stadler 1,100,000 198,000
1990 United States Payne Stewart 202 −8 2 strokes United States Lanny Wadkins 1,000,000 180,000
1989 United States Jodie Mudd 265 −15 Playoff United States Larry Nelson 1,000,000 180,000
1988 United States Bruce Lietzke (2) 271 −9 Playoff United States Clarence Rose 750,000 135,000
Byron Nelson Golf Classic
1987 United States Fred Couples 266 −14 Playoff United States Mark Calcavecchia 600,000 108,000
1986 United States Andy Bean 269 −11 1 stroke United States Mark Wiebe 600,000 108,000
1985 United States Bob Eastwood 272 −8 Playoff United States Payne Stewart 500,000 90,000
1984 United States Craig Stadler 276 −8 1 stroke United States David Edwards 500,000 90,000
1983 United States Ben Crenshaw 273 −7 1 stroke United States Brad Bryant
United States Hal Sutton
400,000 72,000
1982 United States Bob Gilder 266 −14 5 strokes United States Curtis Strange 350,000 63,000
1981 United States Bruce Lietzke 281 +1 Playoff United States Tom Watson 300,000 54,000
1980 United States Tom Watson (4) 274 −6 1 stroke United States Bill Rogers 300,000 54,000
1979 United States Tom Watson (3) 275 −5 Playoff United States Bill Rogers 300,000 54,000
1978 United States Tom Watson (2) 272 −8 1 stroke United States Lee Trevino 200,000 40,000
1977 United States Raymond Floyd 276 −8 2 strokes United States Ben Crenshaw 200,000 40,000
1976 United States Mark Hayes 273 −11 2 strokes United States Don Bies 200,000 40,000
1975 United States Tom Watson 269 −15 2 strokes United States Bob E. Smith 175,000 35,000
1974 United States Buddy Allin 269 −15 4 strokes United States Homero Blancas
United States Charles Coody
United States Lee Trevino
United States Tom Watson
150,000 30,000
1973 United States Lanny Wadkins 277 −3 Playoff United States Dan Sikes 150,000 30,000
1972 United States Chi-Chi Rodríguez 273 −7 Playoff United States Billy Casper 125,000 25,000
1971 United States Jack Nicklaus (2) 274 −6 2 strokes United States Frank Beard
United States Jerry McGee
125,000 25,000
1970 United States Jack Nicklaus 274 −6 Playoff United States Arnold Palmer 100,000 20,000
1969 Australia Bruce Devlin 277 −3 1 stroke United States Frank Beard
Australia Bruce Crampton
100,000 20,000
1968 United States Miller Barber 270 −10 1 stroke United States Kermit Zarley 100,000 20,000
Dallas Open Invitational
1967 United States Bert Yancey 274 −10 1 stroke Argentina Roberto De Vicenzo
United States Kermit Zarley
100,000 20,000
1966 Argentina Roberto De Vicenzo 276 −8 1 stroke United States Joe Campbell
United States Raymond Floyd
South Africa Harold Henning
85,000 15,000
1965: No tournament
1964 United States Charles Coody 271 −13 1 stroke United States Jerry Edwards 40,000 5,800
1963: No tournament
1962 United States Billy Maxwell 277 −3 4 strokes United States Johnny Pott 35,000 5,300
1961 United States Earl Stewart 278 −6 1 stroke United States Gay Brewer
United States Arnold Palmer
United States Doug Sanders
30,000 4,300
1960 United States Johnny Pott 275 −5 Playoff United States Ted Kroll
United States Bo Wininger
25,000 3,500
1959 United States Julius Boros 274 −10 1 stroke United States Dow Finsterwald
United States Earl Stewart
United States Bo Wininger
25,000 3,500
1958 United States Sam Snead (3) 272 −8 Playoff United States Julius Boros
United States John McMullin
South Africa Gary Player
25,000 3,500
1957 United States Sam Snead (2) 264 −20 10 strokes United States Bob Inman
United States Billy Maxwell
United States Cary Middlecoff
40,000 8,000
Texas International Open
1956
(Jun)
Australia Peter Thomson 267 −13 Playoff United States Gene Littler
United States Cary Middlecoff
70,000 13,478
Dallas Centennial Open
1956
(May)
United States Don January 268 −12 1 stroke United States Dow Finsterwald
United States Doug Ford
30,000 6,000
1947-1955: No tournament
Dallas Invitational
1946 United States Ben Hogan 284 +4 2 strokes United States Herman Keiser
United States Paul Runyan
10,000 2,000
Dallas Open
1945 United States Sam Snead 276 −12 4 strokes United States Jug McSpaden 10,000 2,000
Texas Victory Open
1944 United States Byron Nelson 276 −8 10 strokes United States Jug McSpaden 10,000 2,000

Note: Green highlight indicates scoring records.
Sources:

Multiple winners

Seven players have won this tournament more than once through 2023.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ The par for the final three rounds was lowered to 69 due to course flooding; the 14th hole was converted to a par 3. Aggregate score not considered as an official record.
  2. ^ Shortened to 36 holes due to weather.
  3. ^ Shortened to 54 holes due to weather.

References

  1. ^ History Archived May 25, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "Byron Nelson | Texas Golf Hall of Fame". www.texasgolfhof.org. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  3. ^ Our Charity Archived October 17, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ 2012 HP Byron Nelson Championship Media Guide
  5. ^ "Tourney named for Lord Byron". Schenectady Gazette. New York. UPI. April 23, 1968. p. 22.
  6. ^ "Byron Nelson Classic in color from Dallas". Schenectady Gazette. New York. April 27, 1968. p. 7, TV.
  7. ^ "HP becomes new sponsor of Byron Nelson Championship". PGA Tour. October 2, 2008. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
  8. ^ Nichols, Bill (May 11, 2013). "Nichols: Byron Nelson's new home should be ready when the contract with TPC expires in 2018". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
  9. ^ Durrett, Richard (May 15, 2013). "Byron Nelson plots 2019 move". ESPN. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
  10. ^ Schupak, Adam (May 3, 2024). "CJ Cup Byron Nelson's title sponsor brings new flavor to a beloved local institution". Golfweek. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  11. ^ Jennings, Randy (April 28, 2024). "Byron Nelson tournament offers 'something for everybody' in new CJ Group sponsorship era". Dallas News. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  12. ^ Australian Thomson Texas Open Champ
  13. ^ Wire To Wire, It's Hayes
  14. ^ Lietzke holds off Watson
  15. ^ Eastwood takes playoff victory
  16. ^ Journeyman golfer wins big playoff
  17. ^ Hawkins, Stephen (May 20, 2013). "Sang-Moon wins the HP Byron Nelson Championship". PGA of America. Associated Press. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  18. ^ "PGA Tour statement regarding additional tournament cancellations". PGA Tour. March 17, 2020. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  19. ^ "Sam Sneads Wins Dallas Tourney By 10 Strokes". Park City Daily News. Bowling Green, Kentucky. Associated Press. September 16, 1957. p. 9. Retrieved May 18, 2010.
  20. ^ "Peter Thomson Wins His First U.S. Golf Match". The Gettysburg Times. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. June 4, 1956. p. 5. Retrieved May 18, 2010.
  21. ^ "Don January Eyes Second Big Golf Prize". The Gettysburg Times. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. May 28, 1956. p. 4. Retrieved May 18, 2010.
  22. ^ "Little Ben Hogan Takes Dallas Open". The Lewiston Daily Sun. Lewiston, Maine. Associated Press. September 30, 1946. p. 12. Retrieved May 18, 2010.
  23. ^ "Sammy Snead Wins Dallas Open Golf". Lodi News-Sentinel. Lodi, California. United Press. September 10, 1945. p. 3. Retrieved May 18, 2010.
  24. ^ "Nelson Adda To Bankings". San Jose Evening News. San Jose, California. International News Service. September 11, 1944. p. 6. Retrieved May 18, 2010.
  25. ^ AT&T Byron Nelson – Winners Archived 2016-10-04 at the Wayback Machine – at www.pgatour.com
  26. ^ HP Byron Nelson Championship – Winners – at golfobserver.com (1970–2009)
  27. ^ Johnson, Sal; Seanor, Dave, eds. (2009). The USA Today Golfers Encyclopedia. New York, New York: Skyhorse Publishing. ISBN 978-1-60239-302-8.

33°08′28″N 96°43′12″W / 33.141°N 96.720°W / 33.141; -96.720