Weekly PGA Tour Tips

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Brooks Koepka – 18/1 – 2.5pts each-way

Sergio Garcia – 40/1 – 1.5pts each-way

Brandt Snedeker – 100/1 – 0.75pts each-way

Phil Mickelson – 125/1 – 0.75pts each-way

Tyler Duncan – 200/1 – 0.5pts each-way

Zac Blair – 250/1 – 0.5pts each-way

After picking Webb Simpson for a fantastic win at the RBC Heritage, action on the PGA Tour returns this week at TPC River Highlands in Connecticut for the Travelers Championship. Last week’s winner will be joined by joint favourites, Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas and Bryson DeChambeau. This week’s was re-designed by Pete Dye back in the 1980’s and measures less than 7000 yards, so there will be similarities to last week in that it is a short track requiring accuracy. However, the greens are different to last week’s grainy Bermuda as TPC River Highlands has a mix of poa annua and bentgrass. It is on the greens where this week’s championship will be won and lost (like most week’s), so players in form with a fondness for poa annua may have an advantage. There are form links this weeks to other courses and events, particularly West Coast events on poa annua greens. Players who have done well at Pebble Beach, Riviera and Torrey Pines have also won here. Nevertheless, trying to pick a winner in a full 156-player field this week won’t be easy.

Our headline selection this week is 4-time major champion and former World Number One, Brooks Koepka. Brooksy’s form has dipped since his last win in August 2019 and most of this can be attributed to a left knee injury. At Harbortown last week, Koepka showed that he has shaken off that issue and was in contention all the way to the end. He was runner-up at last year’s US Open on the poa annua greens of Pebble Beach and also has a top-10 finish here at River Highlands in 2016. His form is coming to the boil nicely this week.

Another player whose form was impressive last week was Sergio Garcia. He also led the field for birdies made on the week and his superior ball-striking should suit this week’s challenge. He should have won this event in 2014 when a birdie blitz from Kevin Streelman left him in second spot. He looks to have the right combination of course form and recent form to go close this week.

The next two selections are veteran players who have thrived at events on  poa annua greens and who are great value this week. Brandt Snedeker has wins at both Torrey Pines and Pebble Beach and has three top-15 finishes here in the last six years. At current price of 100/1, he looks like good value despite a lack of strong recent form. Similarly, Phil Mickelson has not shown much this year but has five wins at Pebble Beach and TPC River Highlands is not as claustrophobic as last week’s test. If a left-hander like Bubba Watson can win here three times, then Phil can contend this week.

Finally, our longer shot selections this week are two players who are going well this season. Tyler Duncan won his maiden victory at the RSM before Christmas and has had two solid weeks since the break for the pandemic. Zac Blair has shown that he can be a solid PGA Tour player after graduating from the Korn Ferry Tour last September. Both could show well at big prices.