Travelers Championship
West Coast! East Coast! That’s what these guys signed up for – and the prize money isn’t anything to sneeze at! Sometimes, the PGA appears to be that child with ADHD. Other times, they make a logical, focused decision like this week. Making this tournament an elevated event has surely saved us from a player pool where we would say “who the hell is he” more than we normally would – especially the week after a Major when most of the “big boys” sit it out.
We still have 156 golfers this week, but we also have a cut of the Top 65 and ties instead of 60 like it was last week. Getting 6/6 will be tough again, but hell, it seems like every time I get 6/6 someone soils themselves over the weekend! We are also moving from one of the longest (Par 70 / 7,400 yards) to one of the shortest (Par 70 / 6,850 yards) courses on Tour.
The main risk this week isn’t the course. I think it’s more trying to figure out who has the “post-Major letdown”, if anyone does. I would say the most likely candidates for that are the guys that finished 1st and 2nd. Wyndham because he will simply be inundated with interview requests, appearances, and the general “let’s take a breather” mode that most Major winners experience. Rory? Well, it’s Rory. I don’t think he phones it in, but I do think it will be a relaxation chance for him following the focus he has in a Major and the chance to really take a breath and absorb the LIV merger fallout.
Bombers play TPC River Highlands well but they don’t have a major advantage over the shorter hitters here. Why? Well, even for pros, full shots are much preferred over half-shots or those where they need to “stand on a club” to get it there. At River Highlands, the approach game from 100-150 yards will be a key and, with the lack of length, everyone can get there easily.
Highlights: TPC River Highlands
- Par 70 – 6,852 yards
- Wide fairways that get wider the further you hit it – so that may be a slight advantage for Bombers
- Bentgrass/POA mix on the greens
- Greens are smaller by Tour standards and usually fast
- Water exists, but rarely comes into play and there are 69 bunkers (just under 4 per hole on average)
- Pin placement has historically been the biggest defense this course has
For statistical analysis:
- Shots Gained Tee-to-Green (SG: T2G)
- Shots Gained Approach/Proximity from 100-150 yards (SG APP)
- Shots Gained Putting (SGP)
This week’s mix: 20% SG:T2G, 70% SG APP, and 10% SGP
I’m also weighting Course History this Week: 75% Stats & 25% Course History
Top 10 in Field (last 16 rounds)-Weighted Stats noted Above
| Scottie Scheffler | $11,300 |
| Russell Henley | $ 7,800 |
| Patrick Cantlay | $10,200 |
| Viktor Hovland | $ 9,900 |
| Hideki Matsuyama | $ 8,600 |
| Jon Rahm | $10,800 |
| Tom Kim | $ 8,100 |
| Collin Morikawa | $ 9,500 |
| Brendon Todd | $ 7,100 |
| Rory McIlroy | $10,900 |
If you are someone looking at statistics only, there are several guys listed here that will allow you to save on salary and get more guys at the top. I tend to put more weight on current form if I can’t decide between a couple of players.
NOTE: All pricing is based on DraftKings
** are my favorites in each category – could be pricing or the fact I think they play best.
$9,000 and Above
My favorites are:
Course History:
Patrick Cantlay ($10,200) – Again, I don’t subscribe to the “Patrick Can’t Play” club. Yeah, maybe he doesn’t win as much as he should, but he rarely has two shitty rounds in a row. Also, assuming he makes the cut (and he’s 12/13 this season), he’s likely to pump out a 62 or a 63 on the weekend.
Rory McIlroy ($10,900) – Next to Cantlay and Tony Finau ($9,700), he’s probably played here more than others. Finau & Wyndham Clark ($9,200) have played as much or more but both of them miss the cut as much as they make it – historically.
Xander Schauffele ($10,400) – Three Top 20s in 4 attempts with one missed cut and a Win.
Gut/My Favorites:
Scottie Scheffler ($11,300) – This pick DOES NOT require any explanation. If it does, why are you playing PGA DFS? I’m joking of course, but he’s currently a Top 10 machine AND #1 in the World. The price is tough in most weeks, but not so much in Majors and Elevated Events.
Patrick Cantlay ($10,200) – See above. Also, his course history here since 2018? T13-T13-T11-T15-T15!
Rory McIlroy ($10,900) & Xander Schauffele ($10,400) – These two, along with Scottie, are Top 10 machines in the last 12 weeks of play. Rory has 4 and Xander has 5 – and they haven’t played in all 12 prior weeks.
$7,500 to $8,900
Once again, there are plenty of options here if you are looking for a balanced lineup. You can start with Scottie and not leave this Tier for your other 5 golfers.
I’m not going with Max Homa ($8,900) or Justin Thomas ($8,800) this week, but not for the same reason. Max plays better on the West Coast and missed the cut badly last week with a Friday blow up. Justin just played like a fresh pile of donkey shit both days! Now, poor performances at U. S. Open’s are not typically good indicators for a guy’s form, but something isn’t right with JT. He just looks lost! Both guys may turn it around this week, but I’m not putting my money on it. Now, for those contrarian guys out there, ownership should be low given their recent performances.
- Tom Kim ($8,100)** – I hate to say it and jinx myself but…He’s baaaaack! This course should be a great break from the difficulty of last week and his approach game is one of the best.
- Adam Scott ($7,900)** – missed the cut last week but he’s one of those guys that I’m going to forgive and forget last week’s performance. Only played here once in 2021, but finished T13. Prior to last week, he had 3 Top 10s in his last 4.
- Harris English ($7,700) – A past winner at TPC Highlands and some really good current form. Plus, he gains strokes putting on bentgrass/POA surfaces.
- Shane Lowry ($8,200) – Current form play again. 3 Top 20s in his last 4 and he is good enough with his approach game to score well here.
- Si Woo Kim ($8,000), Russell Henley ($7,800) and Brian Harman ($7,500) – Again, like some of my picks last week, these guys are interchangeable. Si Woo for upside. Russell because of course history and current form. Brian because he seems to Top 10 here more than anyone else not getting a five-figure price tag.
$7,000 to $7,400
Yes, you CAN go here too!
- Austin Eckroat ($7,300)** – This guy disappeared from the DFS “must have” scene but he is back. At this price, current form of T10-T30-T16-T2 isn’t a bad thing.
- Emiliano Grillo ($7,300)** – He hasn’t played well here the last couple of years, but has posted a win in the last month. This is just too cheap of a price!
- Eric Cole ($7,300)** – I STILL have a really good feeling about this guy. 6 of his last 8 cuts made with 5 of them Top 25. T39 last week at the U. S. Open.
- Thomas Detry ($7,100) – Solid player at a price that works. Made his last 5 cuts with three Top 25s – including a T7.
- Sam Bennett ($7,000) – C’mon! I know he sucked on Saturday last week, but this price for a rookie that’s made all four of his cuts and has two Top 20s? All day – every day until he proves otherwise!
Under $7,000
“Scrub Zone”… maybe –
- Mark Hubbard ($6,900) – this may be a big no-brainer if you pair him with Bennett at $7K. Leaves a ton of salary for the rest.
- Kevin Streelman ($6,800) – He has three Top 10s here in the last 10 years.
- Mackenzie Hughes ($6,800) – 6 made cuts here in 6 attempts with three Top 25s and has finished as high as T3.
- Andrew Novak ($6,600) – Current form: T9-T40-T67-T49-T13-9th! A made cut is all you need!
LONGSHOT(S)
Ludvig Aberg ($7,400)
I always like to give you a name that NOBODY will rightfully play unless they have to. T25 at the Canadian Open.
Ask questions on Discord if you have them. Make sure to tag me so I don’t miss it!
GOOD LUCK!!