PGA Preview: 2020 Travelers Championship odds and picks
The PGA Tour saw an exciting RBC Heritage finish with Webb Simpson seemingly returning to form. Simpson finished one stroke better than Abraham Ancer at 22-under. That finish moved him up the favorites list for the Travelers Championship (+1800), but Rory McIlroy comes in at the top at +1200.
McIlroy did not show for me last week, as well as Jordan Spieth, but Bryson DeChambeau, and Brooks Koepka did with Justin Rose fading during the last round. You can read up on my 2020 RBC Heritage article for more information.
Now it is time to tee up for the 2020 Travelers Championship where another player packed field tees off without Tiger Woods. Nine of the top-ten players in the world are set to tee off at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut.
Aside from Rory and Simpson, here’s how the top-five favorites (under +1800) to win the 2020 Travelers Championship round out.
Rory McIlroy +1200
Justin Thomas +1200
Bryson DeChambeau +1400
Webb Simpson +1800
Jon Rahm +1800
The stand out stat this week is that ten players that have won the Travelers are returning, including Chez Reavie, who is the defending champ.
Bubba Watson won three times - 2010, 2015 and 2018. Phil Mickelson won twice in 2001 and 2002, as did Stewart Cink in 1997 and 2008. Players, aside from Reavie, that have won once are Jordan Spieth 2017, Russell Knox in 2016, Kevin Streelman 2014, Marc Leishman 2012, Hunter Mahan 2007, and J.J. Henry back in 2006.
2020 Travelers Championship Info
Where: Cromwell, Connecticut
When: June 25th – 28th, 2020
Course: TPC River Highlands
Par: 70
Length: 6,844
Slope: 131
Defending Champ: Chez Reavie
Purse: $7.4 million
TV Coverage: CBS/Golf Channel
The Travelers Championship is teeing off on its originally schedule date unlike the last two tournaments that have been played following the COVID-19 shutdown. The course (River Highlands) is located on bluffs overlooking the Connecticut river and includes gently rolling terrain with immaculately trimmed fairways and rough.
Fairways vary between wide-open spaces to dense patches of trees protected by scenic water hazards and well-placed deep bunkers. Greens (Bermuda) are large at first glance but have tight landing areas. Pin placement will be key.
I mentioned that 9 of the top-ten were playing this week. Rory McIlroy No. 1, Jon Rahm No. 2, Justin Thomas No. 3, Brooks Koepka No. 4, Dustin Johnson No. 5, Patrick Reed No. 6, Patrick Cantlay No. 7, Webb Simpson No. 9 and Xander Schauffele at the No. 10 spot.
Travelers Championship | DFS Preview & Picks 2020
Top Picks to win the 2020 Travelers Championship
Bryson DeChambeau +1400
I try not to pick the same player two weeks in a row, but Bryson DeChambeau has worked for me several times this season.
DeChambeau finished three of his four rounds last week under 67 and that’s a trend he’s pulled off all season. And, just in case you’ve not heard – or seen – DeChambeau has beefed up during the COVID-19 break like he was shooting for a body building championship.
His drives have been crazy long – and that will be a plus at the Travelers.
Brooks Koepka +2000
Brooks Koepka comes in at one of his best numbers this season, +2000, with a side note.
He’s been high up the favorites list a few times, but he looks as if he was still nursing his injuries from last season. Last week at the RBC Heritage he looked like his old self, carding a 7th place finish.
Bubba Watson +2800
I’ve talked myself out of Bubba Watson a few times this season, but when it comes to the Travelers it is hard to put him on the sidelines.
Watson won this tournament in 2018, 2015, and 2010. Plus, he’s been close at the line several times, including a T2 finish in 2012.
Others I like to win the 2020 Travelers Championship
I’m pushing Rory McIlroy out of my mind this week and that may come back to bite me. But for this week, the two other players I like are Dustin Johnson and Abraham Ancer.
Both played well last week and have steadily improving over the course of the season, including after the COVID-19 break.
Odds to win Travelers Championship outright
Rory McIlroy +1200
Justin Thomas +1200
Bryson DeChambeau +1400
Webb Simpson +1800
Jon Rahm +1800
Brooks Koepka +2000
Patrick Cantlay +2200
Justin Rose +2500
Dustin Johnson +2500
Xander Schauffele +2800
Bubba Watson +2800
Patrick Reed +3300
Collin Morikawa +3300
Paul Casey +3300
Abraham Ancer +3300
Sungjae Im +3300
Jordan Spieth +4000
Gary Woodland +4000
Sergio Garcia +4000
Matthew Fitzpatrick +4000
Tony Finau +5000
Marc Leishman +5000
Joaquin Niemann +5000
Viktor Hovland +6600
JT Poston +6600
Scottie Scheffler +6600
Ian Poulter +8000
Brian Harman +8000
Corey Conners +8000
Kevin Kisner +8000
Joel Dahmen +10000
Louis Oosthuizen +10000
Billy Horschel +10000
Jason Day +10000
Branden Grace +10000
Jason Kokrak +10000
Keegan Bradley +10000
Ryan Palmer +10000
Byeong-Hun An +12500
Kevin Streelman +12500
Patrick Rodgers +12500
Kevin Na +12500
Shane Lowry +12500
Rafael Cabrera Bello +12500
Chez Reavie +12500
Phil Mickelson +14000
Brandt Snedeker +14000
Ryan Moore +14000
Matthew Wolff +15000
Charley Hoffman +15000
Russell Henley +15000
Max Homa +15000
Bud Cauley +17500
Zach Johnson +17500
Beau Hossler +17500
Matt Wallace +17500
Russell Knox +17500
Cameron Champ +17500
Dylan Frittelli +17500
Cameron Smith +17500
C T Pan +17500
Danny Lee +17500
Tyler Duncan +20000
Jim Furyk +20000
Harry Higgs +20000
Stewart Cink +20000
Vaughn Taylor +20000
Sebastian Munoz +20000
Brendon Todd +20000
Harold Varner III +20000
Jhonattan Vegas +20000
Lucas Glover +20000
Matthew Nesmith +20000
Luke List +20000
Wyndham Clark +20000
Charl Schwartzel +20000
Joseph Bramlett +20000
Graeme McDowell +20000
Doc Redman +20000
Talor Gooch +20000
Brendan Steele +20000
Emiliano Grillo +20000
Mackenzie Hughes +25000
Cameron Tringale +25000
Kevin Tway +25000
Luke Donald +25000
Carlos Ortiz +25000
Kyle Stanley +25000
Danny Willett +25000
Aaron Wise +25000
Brice Garnett +25000
Matthew Jones +25000
Si-Woo Kim +25000
Mark Hubbard +25000
Michael Thompson +25000
Troy Merritt +25000
Tom Hoge +25000
Sung Kang +30000
Lanto Griffin +30000
Scott Stallings +30000