This golf tournament will begin on Thursday, June 21, 2018, at TPC at River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut. This event began in 1952 and is the following week after the U.S. Open. Last week we watched Brooks Koepka win with +1800 odds and that could happen again.
The course is 6,840 yards and a Par 70. This makes it one of the shortest courses in the PGA circuit. Bentgrass is used for the greens and trees line the fairway as a deterrent to the winds that can prevail. The toughest holes are considered to be 15-17 known as the “Golden Triangle” which wind around a big lake. Some of the holes will require that the ball is hit over the lake. Golfers need to be mentally prepared when approaching these holes.
Here is a link to the 2018 Media Guide for the Traveler’s Championship.
All of the usuals should be considered in this event such as the defending champion Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, and Brooks Koepka all at 12-1 odds to win. But there are a few on the fringe that should be considered. Let’s take a look at them:
Marc Leishman– Coming in at +2800 odds could mean a really nice payday for this one-time winner of the event. Yes, it was in 2012 but he knows the course and finished in the Top 10 in 2016. This Aussie has experience here even though he hasn’t been great lately. I like this pick.
Paul Casey– He has been playing with consistency. He has always played the Travelers well in his past and was one of the better players last weekend at the U.S. Open. He enters with +1800 odds. Last week we could have gotten Koepka for those same odds and that worked out well for those that did.
Daniel Berger– He had a few miscues late last weekend but came in with a sixth-place finish. In the last two showings at this course, he has finished fifth or better. He was the runner-up last year at the Travelers Championship. At +3500, I will have to bet this 25-year-old.
Did you see the computer generated models are all jumping on Ryan Moore to do well in this tournament? That could be interesting at +3300 odds.
Current odds
JUSTIN THOMAS+1200
BROOKS KOEPKA+1200
JORDAN SPIETH+1200
RORY MCILROY+1200
PATRICK REED+1600
JASON DAY+1800
PAUL CASEY+1800
WEBB SIMPSON+2500
BRYSON DECHAMBEAU+2500
MARC LEISHMAN+2800
BUBBA WATSON+2800
RYAN MOORE+3300
LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN+3500
DANIEL BERGER+3500
XANDER SCHAUFFELE+4000
PATRICK CANTLAY+4000
CHARLEY HOFFMAN+4000
BILLY HORSCHEL+5000
RUSSELL KNOX+5500
Our pick to win the 2018 Travelers is Xander Schauffele at +4000. This guy can play, and this seems to be a great spot for him. That’s good odds!
Where and When to Watch
(all times ET):
Thursday: 3:30-6:30 p.m., Golf Channel
Friday: 3:30-6:30 p.m., Golf Channel
Saturday: 1-2:30 p.m., Golf Channel; 3-6 p.m., CBS
Sunday: 1-2:30 p.m., Golf Channel; 3-6 p.m., CBS
