Podcast Link (Available on iTunes, Spotify, Google, Stitcher, Anchor, and other sites)
Favorite Plays by Tier (Posted Afer Podcast)
The Travelers Championship
TPC River Highlands, Cromwell, CT Par 70: 6,841 Yards
Course Difficulty
- 2018: 25th Toughest out of 51, played 0.404 strokes UNDER par
- 2017: 21st Toughest out of 50, played 0.199 strokes OVER par
- 2016: 26th Toughest out of 50, played 0.332 strokes UNDER par
- 2015: 29th Toughest out of 52, played 0.624 strkes UNDER par
Roster Lock: 6:45 am EST (5:45 CST, 4:45 MST, 3:45 PST)
WEDNESDAY UPDATE
Weather
It's not a clear cut forecast for the first two days. Winds look to be 10-15 mph, with WindFinder suggesting 20-30 mph gusts on Friday, whereas the National Weather Service does not suggest any strong gusts. The NWS is suggesting rain throughout the day Thursday, with heavier rains after play into Friday morning. I wouldn't be surprised to see a rain delay Thursday, with potentially soft conditions on Friday. However, I am just not seeing a clear cut forecast that would make me change any picks due to weather. Maybe if playing the showdown slates, advantage to the morning waves with lower winds and softer conditions. Of course, if playing multiple lineups, it's never a bad idea to stack each wave in at least one lineup, in the event that one wave does get a huge advantage.
Ownership
We have two clear cut players who will be highly owned: Paul Casey and Emiliano Grillo. Both are projecting for over 20 percent ownership. Among others who should be above 15 percent and maybe pushing 20 percent, here are the other golfers getting a lot of ownership (in no particular order): Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, Charley Hoffman, Patrick Cantlay, Bryson DeChambeau, and Kevin Streelman. As far as the recently turned pros, Hovland should be above 10 percent, with Wolff and Morikawa falling in the 5-10 percent range, and Suh being hardly owned.
Other Thoughts
- One golfer I added to my lineups (1 GPP and 1 Cash on DK, and one on FantasyDraft) is C.T. Pan. I do like his recent performances on short courses (1st at Heritage, 3rd at Colonial, MC at Pebble last week). The missed cut was primary due to putting. He ends up in my list as I needed a 7600 golfer to fill in my cash game lineup. My last two golfers out (usually do quite well) are Ryan Moore and Russell Knox, both of who will probably fall in the 12-15 percent range.
- There are some ranges that are being overlooked. If you like anyone 8500-9100, you will get them at 10% or less. Outside of Adam Hadwin, no one priced 7,600 or less is projected at double-digit ownership.
Light on the notes this week. I ususally play weekend lineups, but don't post picks on here. If you want to know some players I'm looking at for weekend golf, tweet me @skeeterrobinson, and I'll be more than glad to mention who I'm looking at. Good luck this week!
Opening Thoughts
After a great U.S. Open (best one in my opinion in recent years), we go back to a classic PGA Tour event with the Travelers. This is a nice field with a lot of top golfers making the cross-country trip (including a few making the Canada to Northern California to Connecticut journey). As you can see above, the tournament can have some teeth, but usually has good scoring conditions. Another short course, I wonder how much the players who played well at Pebble will be talked up this week, considering this is another short course with long rough.
Something I'm curious to see this week is how well the amateurs (or former amatuers) do. The Top 4 amateurs at the end of May: Justin Suh, Collin Morikawa, Matthew Wolff, and Viktor Hovland, are all playing. Morikawa turned pro before the RBC Canadian Open, while Wolff and Hovland (coming off a T-12 finish at the U.S. Open) are turning pro this week. I will be watching for their ownership levels, as I can see Hovland getting a lot of attention after finishing so well at Pebble Beach.
But, as far as the course goes, it's definitely an approach shot type of course. Lots of different styles have won, but approach seems to be the biggest thing in common, which isn't a surprise given that this is such a short course. Another correlation I see is that there is something about this course that fits the eye of left-handed golfers. Both Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson have won here twice, and Brian Harman has a couple of Top-10 finishes. All three are in the field, along with Cody Gribble (and Scott Langley, which James brought up during the podcast). I'm not saying you should play any of them for that reason; but, maybe give them an extra look this week.
