The 2019 AT&T Byron Nelson Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is the 2019 AT&T Byron Nelson? Thursday 9th to Sunday 12th of May 2019
Where is the 2019 AT&T Byron Nelson? Trinity Forest Golf Club, Dallas, Texas, U.S.
What is the total prize fund of the 2019 AT&T Byron Nelson? $7,900,000
What television channel can I watch the 2019 AT&T Byron Nelson on in the UK? Sky Sports Golf
Where can I stream the 2019 AT&T Byron Nelson in the UK? Sky Sports subscribers can stream the tournament online via Sky Go
Where can I get tickets for the 2019 AT&T Byron Nelson? https://www.pgatour.com/tournaments/at-t-byron-nelson/tickets.html
What is the course yardage at the Trinity Forest Golf Club? 7,380 yards
What is the par at Trinity Forest Golf Club? 71
What is the course information for Trinity Forest Golf Club? The course opened in 2016 and first hosted the AT&T in 2018. The layout is virtually treeless and built on a sand-capped landfill with lots of humps and bumps which makes it look and play like a traditional Scottish links. There is a need to be deliberate to gain the best angles of approach that will make strategy and ball control a premium
What is the predicted weather for the 2019 AT&T Byron Nelson? Isolated thunderstorms are predicted during the opening day's play which could cause some delays. Showers will move in during both mornings of the second and third rounds with part cloud coverings expected for the final days play. Temperatures are consistent throughout the week around 18c with low winds during the week
THE HISTORY
The 2018 edition made its first appearance at Trinity Forest and resulted in the lowest score to par winning total in the tournament's history at -23, a record that could well be beaten again this week now players have further familiarity with the course. There have been just three playoffs since 2009 and four since 2002, with an average winning margin of 1.6 in the past ten editions.
THE FAVOURITES
Players who finished inside the top 30 at the 2018 AT&T Byron Nelson were used for analysis with the tournament’s first year being held around Trinity Forest to identify course form. Their 2019 season form was assessed to determine who the favourites are this week.
Hideki Matsuyama
The former world number two’s form has abandoned him this season having recorded just three top tens thus far. This has simply been down to his putting where he ranks 177th in strokes-gained compared to third SG: tee-to-green and 15th SG: around-the-green. Although an average finishing position of just 24th from his last four starts suggests no real form, remarkably he has not finished lower than 33rd in his last nine starts and has missed no cuts this season. If he finds even a little form on the greens this week, his superior tee-to-green play could see him contend for a first win since 2017.
Keith Mitchell
The young American’s season just keeps getting better having claimed his first PGA Tour victory in impressive fashion at The Honda Classic in March by holding off some of the world’s best players. Since then, he has recorded a further two top tens in two of the tour's biggest events and currently ranks 21st in the FedEx Cup. Although ranked 25th in SG: tee-to-green, Mitchell will need to improve in his short game and putting to contend this week where he ranks outside the top 100 in both SG categories. Nonetheless, scoring will be low this week and with him being ranked 39th in birdie average and 8th in eagle average, he has a strong chance of pushing for another victory here.
Marc Leishman
The Australian started the 2018-19 season as one of the hottest players, recording his fourth PGA Tour victory and finishing five times inside the top five in seven starts. Form has somewhat steadied since then with just the solo top ten in the WGC Matchplay, but he will be pushing hard to keep climbing the FedEx ranks where he currently sits 13th. A runner-up finish here last year shows this course is a strong match for Leishman’s game, however he will need to make sure his driving is at its best, where it currently ranks 103rd SG: off-the-tee, to take advantage of the birdie opportunities.
THE OUTSIDERS
Jordan Spieth
The young and yet highly experienced American is having a run of the worst form in his professional career to date. The former world number one is now ranked 39th and has a season high finish of just a T21 at the Masters with his last top ten coming during the Open Championship last year. Nevertheless, Spieth’s game will return at some stage, and the native Texan has a great opportunity in front of his home fans around a golf course that plays like a Scottish links, something the former Open champion should be comfortable on. He has been near on several occasions this season to pushing through but for one or two poor rounds each tournament taking him out of the mix. With just one missed cut in his last nine starts, he seems to be close to contending again.
Charles Howell III
The PGA Tour stalwart claimed his third win during the 2018-19 wrap around season, 12 years after his previous victory. A further two top tens this year sees him standing 10th in the FedEx Cup due to a total of nine top 25s, with seven coming in a nine-tournament span. Ranked 18th in SG: total shows where his all-round game is at and why he is producing perhaps the best consistency in his career to date, and with a T9 finish here last year, he will be expecting to add to his season tally of top tens, and even contend once again this season.
