The Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn. is the focus of attention in the golf world this week. Coming off the excitement of the U.S. Open and the historic result at the Memorial, the best players in the game have gathered once again for this highly anticipated event. While Rory McIlroy has withdrawn from the competition, the field remains strong with the potential for another playoff finish, as has been the case in five of the last 13 editions of the Travelers Championship.
TPC River Highlands is a short, Pete Dye design that plays less than 6,900 yards as a par 70 course. Known for its passionate crowds, this event is being elevated by the PGA Tour for the second consecutive season. Scoring is expected to be easier than in recent weeks, with the average winning score over the past five seasons being better than 18-under par. Given the course layout and style, key stats to consider this week include Birdies or Better, Strokes Gained: Approach, Strokes Gained: Off the Tee, and Par 4 Scoring. It’s also important to look at Strokes Gained: Total on Dye designs and shorter courses.
Courses that have a similar layout and style to TPC River Highlands include Sedgefield (Wyndham Championship), East Lake (Tour Championship), TPC Sawgrass, TPC Deere Run, and TPC Southwind. With a smaller field of 71 players this week, due to McIlroy’s withdrawal, there are several promising selections for outright wins and top-20 finishes. Among them is Tommy Fleetwood, who enters the week with mid-range odds of 35-1. Fleetwood’s accuracy off the tee and ability to rack up birdies make him a strong contender for success at TPC River Highlands.
Corey Conners is another player to watch, coming off an impressive week at Pinehurst with a top-10 finish. His strong stats, including ranking third for Strokes Gained: Approach and fourth for Birdies or Better, indicate that he is in top form. Sepp Straka, who has finished in the top-8 in three of his last five starts, is also a player worth considering. With solid performances in key statistical categories, Straka could be a dark horse pick for success at TPC River Highlands.
Finally, Tom Kim is a player to keep an eye on with odds of 50-1. Despite a slight dip in form last week, Kim’s consistent performances and ability to generate birdies make him a strong contender. With a history of success at correlated courses like TPC Deere Run and Sedgefield CC, Kim has the potential to surprise the field. Overall, the Travelers Championship promises to be an exciting event with a strong field of players vying for victory. As the competition unfolds, fans and bettors alike will be watching closely to see who emerges as the champion at TPC River Highlands.
