Still suffering from a US Open hangover? Well, you’re in complete luck as the PGA Tour returns with a bang this week with the 2015 edition of the Travelers Championship. The world’s best golfers will compete at the famed TPC River Highlands course in Cromwell, Connecticut for a chance to win not only the 500 FedEx Cup points but also the $1.152 million top prize.
Who will emerge victorious from this rich and talented field? Read on below as we breakdown the favorites for this prestigious tournament. While you’re at it, you can also check out our sleeper picks for the Travelers Championship here.
Bubba Watson’s midseason golfing woes continued at the US Open last week, firing a horrendous seven-over-par 147 to miss the cut at the halfway point. He has now finished outside the top-35 in three of his last four events. That being said, you can’t rule out the highest-ranked player in the field from contending this week. The two-time Masters champion has prevailed in this event before, grabbing the tournament win back in 2010 with a 14-under-par total of 266.
[sc:Golf240banner ]With his familiarity with the golf course, it isn’t far-fetched to see Watson rediscover the form that earned him three top-10 finishes in his first four tournaments this year. Look for Watson to be in the hunt come Sunday afternoon. He is pegged at +1,000 to win the whole thing.
Another golfer who’s a definite threat for the title this week is Sergio Garcia (+1,600). The fiery Spaniard followed up his runner-up finish at the Players Championship last month with an 18th-place showing at Chambers Bay last week. Key to Garcia’s excellent play thus far is his solid play from tee to green. He is fourth in the PGA Tour in strokes gained from tee to green with a 1.563 average. That will be a huge asset when navigating the tricky TPC River Highlands course this week.
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High-Value Sleepers – Patrick Reed and Brandt Snedeker
One golfer who’s having a phenomenal season this year is Patrick Reed (+1,400). The 24-year-old has finished in the top-10 in three of his 16 starts this year, including a victory at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions last January. Reed, who is making his fourth consecutive visit to River Highlands, has been boosted by his superb touch around the greens this year. He is 12th in the PGA Tour in birdie average, with 4.11 per round this season. That will come in handy when tackling the tough set-up here at Cromwell.
Another American who’s making waves in the PGA Tour this year is Brandt Snedeker (+1,200). He has already won in the PGA Tour this year, grabbing the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am last February. He’s playing some excellent golf of late, finishing in the top-10 in all of his last three starts, including an eighth-place showing at the US Open last week.
Key to Snedeker’s sudden resurgence has been his solid putting. He is sixth in the PGA Tour in strokes gained with putting with a remarkable .642 clip. With the form that he is in right now, look for Snedeker to be in contention once again this coming weekend.
Long Shot – Ernie Els
Ernie Els’ golfing woes continued at the US Open last week when he finished in a tie for 54th after shooting an 11-over-par total of 291. It has been a horrific season, thus far for Els who has yet to record a single top-10 finish this year. He has also missed the cut in six of his 11 starts on the PGA Tour this season.
The South African will look to get his game going in the Travelers Championship this week. This will be the first time in 13 years that Els will take part in this event. The four-time major winner has pleasant memories of his last trip here, tying for 10th in that 2002 edition. He may be struggling for form at the present time but don’t be shocked to see Els contend at the Travelers this week.
Writer’s Prediction
Snedeker (+1,200) wins the Travelers Championship this week.
