If there ever was a silver lining to COVID-19 and three months without golf, it is this: Each of these first tournaments the PGA Tour has had since returning has had the best fields we’ve ever seen competing outside a major championship.
Everyone was chomping at the bit to get back to golf, and the return has been everything you could hope for. Last weekend at the RBC Heritage, Webb Simpson, the fifth-ranked player in the world, birdied five of his last seven holes to take a one-shot victory and set a course record at -22.
It was another great week of golf and another terrific ending. And this coming weekend at the Travelers should see the great play continue.
Stacked Field
Normally, the Travelers Championship suffers by being played the week after the U.S. Open. With the top golfers always showing up there, many of them skip the event at TPC Highlands the following week.
Not this time, as nine of the top 10 players are in the field, 15 of the top 20, and the winners of 25 total major championships.
The top odds in the field are:
- Rory McIlroy +1200
- Justin Thomas +1200
- Bryson DeChambeau +1400
- Webb Simpson +1800
- Brooks Koepka +2000
- Jon Rahm +2200
- Justin Rose +2200
- Patrick Cantlay +2200
- Daniel Berger +2200
- Dustin Johnson +2800
- Xander Schauffele +3000
- Bubba Watson +3000
Out of another great field, there are a couple of players that you specifically need to keep an eye on. Bubba Watson won the Travelers in 2010, 2015, and 2018. He loves this course and knows this course, and he should be higher than +3000. That is a really good bet.
When making any prop bets, you need to know that this course is also prone to give up great scores. Jim Furyk once shot a 58 here. Phil Mickelson shot a 61. The 72-hole course record is -22, held by Kenny Perry.
Last year’s winner, Chez Reavie, shot a back-nine 28 on his way to a four-stroke win. Reavie has opened at +12500 for the tournament this week and might be worth a small bet at those odds, considering his recent history here.
Others to Watch
Along with the favorites and recent Travelers champions, there are some other names worth watching this weekend.
Sergio Garcia (+4500) just shot -19 at Hilton Head and finished just three strokes off the leader.
Dylan Frittelli (+17500) is a longshot this weekend, but he finished last weekend with an impressive 62 on Sunday. If not for his 71 on Saturday, he would have been in the mix at the end.
Keep an eye on Abraham Ancer (+4000). He just finished second, had three rounds of 65 or lower, and has now climbed into the top 25 World Golf Rankings.
Pay Per Head Software
Bookmakers, it’s time to get into the pay per head game if you haven’t already. You get automatic odds, customizable client reports, your own personal website, and options to offer any sport, anywhere.
Try out pay per head software for the next four weeks free at WagerHome.com.
