The final PGA Tour elevated event before the FedEx Cup playoffs begins on Thursday with the 2023 Travelers Championship. It takes place in Cromwell, Conn., at TPC River Highlands, which is one of the shortest courses on tour at 6,852 yards. With that, low scores should be abundant at the Travelers Championship 2023 which has seen an average winning score of 17-under par over the last five years. As a designated event, the purse comes in at $20 million, more than doubling last year's prize pool of $8.3 million.
Once again Scottie Scheffler is the odds on favorite at +650, followed by Patrick Cantlay, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele, and Viktor Hovland (courtesy of Caesers Sportsbook). Sunday's round at LACC wasn't nice to me, but we still hit a few bets with Rickie as a first round leader, and Scottie/Hideki finishing top 10 to soften the blow of not having Wyndham Clark as the out right winner. But you're only as good as your next bet!
Picks To Win:
Scottie Scheffler (+650): Fuck it, were riding with Scottie this week. He seemed to figure out the putting issue this past weekend at the #USOpen and I expect him to keep it moving in the right direction. He also isn't afraid of the moment. The 26-year-old posted his third straight top-three finish last week. Hate the value, love the pick.
Patrick Cantlay (+1100): Forever famous for spinning a 60 as an amateur at TPC River Highlands in 2011, and his incredibly slow play, it’s almost as dubious that he’s yet to wrangle a top 10 in eight tries. Since 2018, he’s 5-for-5 with a T11, two T13s, two T15s and a scoring average of 67.55. The fourth-ranked golfer in the world, Cantlay is too good to keep knocking on the door without a victory this season, and perhaps this is the week he finally kicks it down.
Tommy Fleetwood (+3500): It's time Fleetwood gets another W under his belt. Near miss in Canada, big finish in the final round at LACC. One of the best on TOUR in shots from 150-175 yards, the PGA TOUR drought is about to end.
Sleepers:
Rickie Fowler (+4500): I don't know if I would necessarily consider him a sleeper after his performance the first 3 rounds of the #USOpen, but here we are. Not that anyone is surprised but the balance that he’s expressing both inside and outside the ropes suggests that any healing from the close call at LACC will occur quickly. He’s invested too much this season not to keep his focus forward.
Hideki Matsuyama (+4500): The 2021 Masters winner has put together consistent ball-striking numbers, which are a cause for optimism as he’s gained an average of 7.1 strokes from tee to green and 4.2 strokes on approach over his past five starts. This will be Matsuyama’s first trip to TPC River Highlands, but the course should fit him pretty well. He ranks 20th in the field in Strokes Gained.
Harris English (+5000): He’s endured a lot both before and since his victory here in 2021, but the pedal has been back on the metal in the last four months. Since The Genesis Invitational, he’s logged five top 15s on his own ball, including a T8 at the U.S. Open.
Top 10:
Viktor Hovland (+200): With an improved short game and, more importantly, the confidence to rely on it, the challenge now is to maintain all clubs on deck. Currently second in the all-around ranking and consecutive cuts made (21). T11 in last Travelers in 2020.
Russel Henley (+280): The 34-year-old continues to play up to his prime. All of his last paydays have been top 20s. He’s also hung up three top 20s at TPC River Highlands. In his last visit in 2021, sat one back entering the finale before settling at T19.
Jason Day (+400): Jason Day has been hanging around and in the mix and has show spurts of getting close to notching another win on the PGA TOUR. I don't think the win comes this week but I do expect to see him in the top 10. "Who me? Just hanging around"-Jason Day/Bettlejuice
