First Round Leader Odds for 2021 AT&T Byron Nelson

• The AT&T Byron Nelson from McKinney, TX tees off Thursday, May 13th
• Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm are co-favorites to lead after the first round at TPC Craig Ranch
• See the best bets and odds to grab the first-round lead in the article below 

The final tune-up before next week’s PGA Championship sees the world’s best head to McKinney, Texas for the AT&T Byron Nelson. Though Dustin Johnson withdrew Monday, there’s still a strong field headed by Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, who are co-favorites to earn the title.

Drawing on past history at this track is difficult because this is the first time that the PGA Tour will head to the TPC Craig Ranch after previously hosting this event at Trinity Forest Golf Club. The 2008 and 2012 Korn Ferry Tour Championship was contested at this venue.

Sung Kang returns as defending champion from when he won in 2019, as the tournament was not played in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. DeChambeau and Rahm are +2000 co-favorites to grab the first round lead.

In this article, we’ll explore which players have the best chance of being the leader after day one, along with what players are playing well on Thursday’s this season.

2021 AT&T Byron Nelson First Round Leader Odds

Odds as of May 11th

The forecast is expected to be mainly sunny the entire day, with mid-50 degree temperatures for when the morning wave tees off and getting warmer to the low 70’s for the afternoon players.

The wind will be similar all day, gusting between seven and 13 miles per hour for the better part of Thursday.

A benefit for those teeing it up in the morning is the exact same as it is every week – less bumpy greens with fewer players chewing them up.

Ryan Palmer as Consistent as They Come

44-year-old veteran Ryan Palmer has had a really solid season, making 14 straight cuts and posting four finishes inside the top-seven, including two tournaments ago at the Zurich Classic.

Palmer, a Texas native, will be playing something of a home game this week. Of those competing, he’s been really strong to begin tournaments on the campaign.

2020-21 PGA Tour First Round Scoring Average Leaders

Palmer has the course record, a scintillating 11-under, 61, and he’s 14th in birdie average on the season.

In the last twelve rounds, he’s eighth in strokes gained off-the-tee, which should give him plenty of opportunities to make birdies. That dovetails well with him being fourth in par-five scoring and 15th in par-four scoring this year.

• Pick: Ryan Palmer (+5000)

Brandt Snedeker Returning to Form

After struggling for the better part of the last year, Brandt Snedeker has rediscovered his game to post three really strong tournaments in the last four times he’s teed it up. He’s had T-4, T-6 and T-11 showings, to go along with a decent T-42 result.

In the last twelve rounds on tour, Snedeker has been really good in many strokes gained categories.

Snedeker’s Strokes Gained Stats In Last 12 Rounds

In those last twelve rounds, the nine-time PGA Tour champion hasn’t shot anything worse than a 72, and has been in the sixties on seven occasions.

• Pick: Brandt Snedker (+6600)

K.H. Lee a Darkhorse Possibility

If you’re looking for a long shot to grab the first round lead, K.H. Lee is a tremendous candidate. He’s made the cut in his last five events, and has made a habit of starting tournaments off hot. In three of those instances, he’s ended up with a top-30 finish.

The last three opening rounds, his scores have been as follows – 66, 69, 67.

In his last twelve rounds, Lee, who finished T-2 earlier in the season at the Phoenix Open, is first in SG: around-the-green and 18th tee-to-green. At these super long odds, he presents an intriguing option.

• Pick: K.H. Lee (+10000)