Fresh from a thrilling conclusion to last week’s US Open, the PGA TOUR heads back to familiar territory in Connecticut on Friday (AEDT) for the Travelers Championship.
TPC River Highlands will play host to the $8.3 million event for the 16th year running, and there’s no surprise atop the market with Canadian Open winner Rory McIlroy and green jacket winner Scottie Scheffler leading the way.
Last year’s winner Harris English can be found at much longer odds, while Aussies Jason Day and Marc Leishman make up good value at the $51.00 mark.
Several of the world’s top players will be in attendance this week, making the Travelers an ideal form line with the final major of the year, the British Open, just under a month away.
We’ve run through all the key stats and offer our best bets, best value, and best roughies ahead of the Travelers Championship below.
Travelers Championship Best Bet
Sam Burns at $19.00
TPC River Highlands is the second-shortest course on the PGA TOUR, so finding the green with minimal fuss and some consistent putting go a long way towards success.
Players that can lay-up on the par 4’s will be at an advantage, but as we saw last year with Harris English, it’s worth backing a guy that ranks highly in Greens in Regulation and Strokes Gained: Putting.
Youngster Sam Burns checks both boxes and is also one of the hottest golfers on the planet right now.
The 25-year-old has finished inside the Top 30 in his last four appearances and is also familiar at this venue having finished T13 here last year.
Travelers Championship Best Value
Patrick Cantlay at $15.00
We saw a bit of a trend emerge last week with Matthew Fitzpatrick triumphing at Brookline for the first time since his win as an amateur.
Patrick Cantlay had success as a youngster at TPC River Highlands in 2011, setting a course record of 60 as a 19-year-old – one that would later be beaten by Jim Furyk in 2016.
More recently, Cantlay has finished in a tie for third at the Memorial and T14 at the US Open last week, while he’s also been among the best on TOUR when it comes to the short game, ranking 35th in Strokes Gained: Around the Green and third in overall putting average.
Brian Harman at $41.00
We’re finally back on a familiar course, and it’s one Brian Harman knows all too well.
The American owns four Top 10 finishes at the Travelers, a number he added to last year when he shot 68, 68, 67, and 67 across the four days.
His short game has let him down so far this season, but a T18 at the Memorial last month stands out.
Travelers Championship Best Roughie
K.H. Lee at $91.00
This is somewhat of a revenge spot for K.H. Lee this week.
The young Korean finished well inside the Top 40 at Brookline last week, but it’s what he accomplished here last year that makes me think he can go close.
Fresh from a win at Craig Ranch, Lee ventured to TPC River Highlands where he looked to contest on Sunday before a final round 80 saw him fall all the way outside the Top 70.
He’s one of the most consistent putters on TOUR, and if he can find some form with the irons, he’ll be thereabouts.
Luke List at $151.00
List’s form at TPC River Highlands is an absolute horror show.
He’s made the cut only once from eight attempts, but if you can look past that, his stats suggest he might just be in for a turnaround.
The 37-year-old has been among the best on TOUR when it comes to approach and he’s also ranked sixth in Strokes Gained: Tee to Green.
