GolfWRX: Lead Tape Insights from the CJ Cup Byron Nelson Field at TPC Craig Ranch

CJ Cup Byron Nelson Returns to the Lone Star State

The PGA Tour heads to TPC Craig Ranch this week for the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, a tournament with roots stretching back to the 1926 Dallas Open. Equipment analyst Andrew Von Lossow took a close look at several players' bags, spotlighting how lead tape and shaft choices reflect the personalized nature of professional club fitting.

Key Equipment Observations

Alex Huang – Monday Qualifier

A University of North Texas sophomore made his PGA Tour debut after winning a three-for-one playoff in Monday qualifying. His setup features the TaylorMade Stealth UDI driving iron, while his TaylorMade Spider putter carries a strip of lead tape on the sole — a common tweak to adjust face angle at address or add a touch of head weight.

Ryan Brehm – Wedge Consistency

In his fifth career start at this event, Brehm's lead tape was found on his Cleveland RTZ Tour Rack 50-degree wedge. More notably, he runs the True Temper X7 shaft through both his irons and wedges — an unusual unified setup that prioritizes consistent delivery at impact over conventional wedge-specific flex.

Adam Headley – Section Championship Qualifier

Headley earned his spot via the Joyce Crane | Veritex Bank Section Championship in April 2025. His bag features a Titleist T250U 4-iron with a Project X HZRDUS Black shaft, representing a solid long-iron solution for navigating TPC Craig Ranch's demanding layout.

Brennan Little – Caddie with Game

Gary Woodland's caddie competed in Monday's pro-am, showing off an Odyssey 7 Bird putter with a single strip of lead tape on the sole to fine-tune how the face sits at address. Little also played in this year's Senior PGA Championship, while his employer Woodland captured the Texas Children's Houston Open in March.

Aaron Wise – 2018 Champion

Wise, who won this event at Trinity Forest in 2018, is using a new Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond 7-wood with lead tape covering nearly the entire back portion of the sole. Paired with the Fujikura Ventus Black 10 X shaft, the configuration prioritizes ball-striking precision and distance control from both tee and fairway.

Strokeslab Perspective

These observations reinforce a core club-fitting principle: equipment must conform to the player, not the other way around. From putter sole tape to unified iron-wedge shaft specs, every detail on tour bags reflects intentional customization — a mindset that amateur golfers can learn from.