The PGA Tour heads back to Texas on Friday (AEST) for the 75th anniversary of the Charles Schwab Challenge.
Unpredictable weather makes Colonial Country Club one of the tougher courses to get a read on, so it’s no surprise to find three reliable names like Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa leading the market.
Defending champion Daniel Berger won this event last year in a thrilling playoff over Morikawa, while the last Australian to win was Adam Scott back in 2014.
For our best bets ahead of the entire weekend, be sure to read on below.
Charles Schwab Challenge Best Bet
Corey Conners – $23.00
Ball striking is of the utmost importance this week on a windy (and potentially wet) course.
Conners has been one of the best in that department this year ranking third overall on TOUR, while he’s also returning to Colonial for the fourth time in his career with a T8, a T31, and a T19 in his previous three appearances.
I was high on the Canadian last week at Kiawah Island, and although he cooled off after an opening round T17, he still did enormously well to finish ninth in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee.
Having also made the cut in his last nine events, I’m happy to have Conners on top.
Charles Schwab Challenge Best Value
Jason Kokrak – $41.00
An interesting trend has emerged when it comes to this tournament.
Since 2002, 36-year-olds have won 19 times, but that isn’t the only reason I’m including Kokrak on my bet slip.
The American has played some outstanding rounds at Colonial over the years, particularly last season where he finished T3 off a brilliant final round 64.
More recently, he’s finished T9 at the WGC Workday, T8 at Arnie’s Place and T9 at THE PLAYERS in succession, so there’s a bit to like about the form he brings with him.
The fact he’s also ranked inside the Top 20 in Ball Striking and Strokes Gained: Putting makes Kokrak a popular betting choice this week.
Phil Mickelson – $51.00
He’s a two-time winner at Colonial, so how could you not?
Given, it would take something very special for Phil to back up last week’s performance with another win, but the fact this is his 17th appearance gives him a serious experience edge over most.
It isn’t 200-1 like we had last week heading into the PGA Championship, but the current value is too good to ignore.
Charles Schwab Challenge Best Roughie
Matt Kuchar – $67.00
Kuch missed the cut last week at Kiawah, but I still think he’s over the odds at the current price.
The TOUR veteran has been playing some pretty consistent golf over the last two months, specifically in Texas where he owns a T12 at the Texas Open and a T17 at the Byron Nelson two weeks ago.
His putting could do with some work, but Kuchar is still one of the most reliable guys when it comes to tournaments played in the Lone Star state.