Ahead of the Travelers Championship, Compleat Golfer staffers pick their winners, contenders and players who may just miss the weekend.
Winner
Wade Pretorius: I think Andre might be on to something but for being different’s sake I’m going with Bubba Watson. The unorthodox lefty has banked a top 10 at Colonial but more importantly, he is a specialist at this event with three wins to go with a T2, a fourth and a T6. And if you are a betting man, you could grab this form horse at odds close to 30-1 … that’s good value. When Bubba sheds his victory tears on Sunday, you could be weeping all the way to the bank.
Andre Huisamen: Bryson DeChambeau has been firing since the PGA Tour’s resumption two weeks ago. His powerful hitting looks to have really given his game an extra yard (or more!) to contend for the win at both the Charles Schwab Challenge and RBC Heritage. A bit more consistency from Thursday to Sunday will definitely see him knock on the door come the closing stages of the Travelers Championship. He looks motivated and determined to use the new window to his advantage and the sense is that is close to notching up PGA Tour win No 6.
Top 10
Wade Pretorius: Looking further down the odds list, I can’t stop thinking that Dylan Frittelli has enough game to make another run this week. No player in the top 13 last week had a higher third round than Frittelli (71). He knows the venue from his college days and could surprise the US announcers yet again. At 125-1, he makes for a value bet. For me, Corey Connors is your safer option at 70-1.
Andre Huisamen: Despite somewhat sub-par performances at the Colonial and Hilton, Tony Finau could very well be eyeing the Travelers to find his rhythm again, especially after the solid start to the year he experienced prior to the disruptions caused by Covid-19. Finau settled for T33 at last week’s RBC Heritage but the glimpses were on show for what could possibly have been a lower finish throughout his four rounds. The Travelers Championship will present the perfect opportunity for him to come into contention again when the business end unfolds in Connecticut.
Social golf on Saturday
Wade Pretorius: I picked DJ in week one, so here’s another big call … let’s go with the returning Paul Casey. Why is this a surprise because he’s a playoff loser here to go with a T2 and two top 5s. Over 20 rounds, his scoring average at TPC River Highlands is 67.10. Let’s see if my call is a hit or miss.
Andre Huisamen: Kevin Kisner‘s form over the weekend and since the return of the PGA Tour has been somewhat of a worry, despite a T29 finish at Colonial. His missed cut at the RBC Heritage symboled some worrying signs for all his fans. At 75th on the FedEx Cup standings, Kisner will be hoping to hit better form in Connecticut but the World No 38 has been lacking composure in recent weeks and could very well be in trouble again come Friday with a possible off weekend in Connecticut.
