With a 4-Stroke Lead, Sung Kang Listed as Favorite to Win 2019 AT&T Byron Nelson After Two Rounds
By Chris Amberley in Golf
Updated: April 20, 2020 at 8:23 pm EDTPublished:
- Sung Kang holds a four stroke lead after 36 holes at the AT&T Byron Nelson
- Kang fired a course record tying 61 in round 2 and is searching for his first PGA Tour win
- See the updated live odds entering Saturday at the AT&T Byron Nelson
The 2019 AT&T Byron Nelson was expected to be a birdie fest, and through two rounds it hasn’t disappointed. Sung Kang carded 10 birdies en route to a course-record tying 61 Friday, and has a four-shot lead heading into the weekend.
Sung Kang had himself a day! 👏
He solidifies himself atop the @ATTByronNelson leaderboard with a 6️⃣1️⃣. #LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/H0ODr3ck0b
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 10, 2019
Pre-tournament favorite Brooks Koepka is the biggest name within striking distance, sitting five shots back, and looks ready to defend his PGA Championship title next week.
Live 2019 AT&T Byron Nelson Odds
| Golfer | Position | Score | Rounds | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sung Kang | 1 | -16 | 65, 61 | +140 |
| Matt Every | T-2 | -12 | 65, 65 | +1600 |
| Tyler Duncan | T-2 | -12 | 64, 66 | +1800 |
| Brooks Koepka | 4 | -11 | 65, 66 | +275 |
| Rory Sabbatini | 5 | -10 | 67, 65 | +1600 |
| Martin Laird | T-6 | -9 | 67, 66 | +3500 |
| Beau Hossler | T-6 | -9 | 67, 66 | +3300 |
| Roberto Diaz | T-6 | -9 | 66, 67 | +8000 |
| Michael Thompson | 9 | -8 | 66, 68 | +3300 |
| Jordan Spieth | T-10 | -7 | 68, 67 | +3000 |
| Matt Jones | T-10 | -7 | 65, 70 | +5000 |
| Sebastian Munoz | T-10 | -7 | 69, 66 | +15000 |
| Jonas Blixt | T-10 | -7 | 65, 70 | +8000 |
| Doug Ghim | T-10 | -7 | 69, 66 | +25000 |
| Henrik Stenson | T-17 | -6 | 67, 69 | +5000 |
*Odds taken May 10 at 9pm EST
The Top of the Board
Kang’s statistics through the first two rounds are off the charts. He ranks first in the field in ball striking, approach, strokes gained tee-to-green and third in putting.
He’s trying to become the ninth first-time winner on tour this season, and this isn’t the first time he’s held a sizeable lead after 36 holes.
The birdie that tied the course record 61 …
All smiles for the @ATTByronNelson leader, Sung Kang. 😃#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/uPfDiAzuD6
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 10, 2019
Two years ago at the Shell Houston Open, he was six shots clear of the field after two rounds before stumbling on the weekend and losing by three to Russell Henley.
His play so far justifies his +140 price tag, but there’s no way I can pay that given he was 100-1 before the tournament started.
Brooks is a Bad Man
I’ll also be passing on Koepka, but fading him is much scarier give his Major Championship pedigree. Brooks is crushing the ball off the tee this week and ranks top-10 in ball striking, putting and strokes gained total through 36 holes.
FOUR birdies in a row for @BKoepka.
He moves to 11-under @ATTByronNelson. #LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/uRjexmlBpW
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 10, 2019
Many questioned his motivation with the PGA Championship looming next week, but so far this week he looks like one of the game’s elite players. He’s got as good a shot as any to catch Kang, but +275 is an absurd price to lay given he’s five shots back.
Best Live Value Picks at The AT&T Byron Nelson
- Rory Sabbatini (+1600): His game is the best it’s been in a long time, and he’s quietly reeled off three top-20 finishes in his last five events. He ranks top-5 in strokes gained tee-to-green and approach this week, and has made just one bogey through 36 holes.
- Beau Hossler (+3300): Playing on his home course, he’s having his best ball striking performance since the Genesis back in February. He’s one of the better putters on tour and if he can continue to pepper greens, he’s got as good a shot as anyone to go really low.
- Henrik Stenson (+5000): He’s one of the class players in the field, and would be much closer to the leaders if not for a shaky putter. He ranks fifth in strokes gained tee-to-green, but 106th in putting through 36 holes. His irons are dialed in as usual, and if he can figure out the flat stick he’ll surge up the leaderboard.
Sports Writer
As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
