PGA Preview Travelers Championship

Following an exhilarating U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, the PGA Tour shifts gears to TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut for the Travelers Championship.

This signature event, featuring a no-cut format, ensures that all golfers play four rounds, providing ample opportunities for PGA bettors to capitalize on strategic picks. Here’s an in-depth preview of this week’s PGA slate, focusing on the course, key statistics, and historical insights.

Course Overview: TPC River Highlands

Course Facts:

• Tournament: Travelers Championship (1984-2023)
• Setup: Par 70, 6,835 yards
• Location/Region: Connecticut/Northeast
• Season: Summer Swing
• Event Type: No-cut/Signature/Small Field
• Course Type: Tree-lined Parkland
• Architect: Pete Dye (1982), redesigned by Bobby Weed (1989)
• Course Length: Very Short (97.6 yds/par)
• Elevation: 150 feet
• Bunkers: 69
• Water Danger Holes: 5

Key Statistics:

• Score RTP: -0.86 (19th easiest/44)
• Fairways: Bentgrass/Poa annua
• Greens: Bentgrass/Poa annua, 5,000 square feet (5th smallest/44)
• Difficulty Rank: 19th easiest/44
• AVG Fairway Width: 30 yards (12th narrowest/44)

Correlated Courses:

• Harbour Town, TPC Sawgrass, Pebble Beach, Innisbrook, Colonial, Waialae, Sedgefield, TPC Potomac, Accordia Narashino, Hamilton

Key Insights

Course History

TPC River Highlands is known for favoring players who have performed well here in the past. Understanding this course’s nuances can give players a significant edge. Notable performers include:

• Patrick Cantlay: Consistent top finishes, including multiple top 15s.
• Brian Harman: Excellent course history with several high finishes.
• Scotty Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele: All have demonstrated strong performances at this course.

Key Stats for Success

To excel at TPC River Highlands, focusing on the following stats is crucial:

• Strokes Gained: Approach (SG: APP): This stat is critical due to the small, tricky greens.
• Strokes Gained: Off the Tee (SG: OTT): Accuracy is prioritized over distance on this shorter course.
• Birdie or Better %: Maximizing scoring opportunities is essential.
• Proximity 125-175 yards: A large number of approach shots will come from this range.
• Strokes Gained: Putting (SG: Putting): Proficiency on Bentgrass greens is a must.
• Strokes Gained: Around the Green (SG: ARG): Important for saving pars on missed greens.
• Bogey Avoidance: Keeping big numbers off the scorecard is key.

Strokes Gained Analysis

Off the Tee:

• Driving Accuracy: Ranked 12th in importance out of 44 courses, accuracy is vital.
• Driving Distance: Less important, with a low correlation to success here.

Approach:

• GIR% (Greens in Regulation): Players need to hit a high percentage of greens.
• Proximity: Key distances are 125-150 yards and 150-175 yards.

Around the Green:

• Scrambling: Crucial due to small greens.
• Sand Save %: With 69 bunkers, proficient sand play can be a significant advantage.

Putting:

• One-Putt Percentage: Important for scoring on small greens.
• Three-Putt Avoidance: Minimizing three-putts is always critical.

Event and Course Notes

• Signature Event: Following the U.S. Open, some players may experience fatigue.
• No Cut: All golfers are guaranteed to play four rounds, providing more opportunities for DFS scoring.
• Course Length: One of the shortest on the PGA Tour, emphasizing precision over power.
• Winning Score: Likely to be around 20-under par.
• Fairways: Wide at 250 yards but narrow down at 300 yards, requiring accuracy.

What to Look For

• Strokes Gained Approach: The most crucial stat for this week.
• Total Driving: Accuracy is more important than distance.
• Birdie or Better %: Key for maximizing scoring opportunities.
• Strokes Gained Putting: Bentgrass proficiency is essential.
• Bogey Avoidance: Keeping mistakes to a minimum is crucial.

Final Thoughts

The Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands is set to be an exciting event with a strong field. Focus on players with good course history and prioritize key stats such as SG: Approach, SG: Putting, and Driving Accuracy. The no-cut format and shorter, strategic course demand precision and consistency. Use these insights to guide your DFS lineup decisions and enjoy the action at TPC River Highlands!

This article provides a comprehensive preview of the Travelers Championship, focusing on course insights and key statistics. Use this information to strategize your PGA bets and make informed decisions. Good luck!