Blog#151  Travelers Championship  

Blog#151  Travelers Championship  

 TPC River Highlands Ct.

Purse $20M Par 70

June 20-23, 2024

HISTORY

This year is the 2nd year for this being a signature event.  Last years winner Keegan Bradley-23, #2 Brian Harmon, #3 Scottie Scheffler, #5 RD.  It was called “The Greater Hratford Open” sponsored by Sammy Davis Jr. from 1973 until 1988.  During that time the purse rose from $200K to $700K.  He attracted celebrities including Gerald Ford, Bob Hope, Jackie Gleason, Liza Minnelli and many others.  His name along with Bing Crosby, Jackie Gleason, Danny Thomas, Andy Williams, Dina Shore created celebrity involvement improving TV ratings.

My Prediction Scottie Scheffler even though he had a poor Open.  Just made the cut at+5 and finished 41st+8.  He has a way of bouncing back and I would not bet against him.  

FAVORITES

1 S Scheffler 4/1 My pick to win.

2 X Schauffele 8/1 He has played well all year placed 7th at US Open and won PGA.

3 L Aberg 16/1 He is going to win soon and led US Open in RTD2 but a TB in RD2 killed him.

3 C Morikawa 16/1 He is playing well enough to win but inconsistent putting hurts.  

5 Viktor Hovland 22/1 He was improving until he missed the cut in last weeks US Open.

6 P Cantlay 25/1 His best golf since Ryder Cup last week could sneak in but I doubt it.

7 H Matsuyama 28/1 Shot a 66 in RD 2 last week he is dangerous but I think not 100% healthy.

8 S Burns 35/1 No way he has played some good golf this year but not good enough to win.

8 T Finau 35/1 He finished strong last week and made a nice run to finish 3rd.

8 S Theegala 35/1 Too erratic he has to cut back on bogies.

8 J Thomas 35/1 Finished 8th in PGA but since has not played well missing cut+11 last week.

12 B Harman 40/1 Since his +6 run away win in last years OPEN he has not done much.

LONGSHOTS

1 T Fleetwood He was 16th last week and is to good to get a win soon a good bet at 40/1.

2 K Bradley 55/1 Tough to repeat but he has been playing well and is at home in New England.

3 J Day 75/1 Sentimental pick one of my favorites and he can get hot any time.

4 D McCarthy 90/1 Considered one of the best putters in the game but needs more to win.

5 T Detry 120/1 A former very good DP Tour who has been in the hunt in several tournaments.

6 P Malanti 600/1 Another sentimental pick but watch put for him at Rocket and John Deere. 

RORY

As expected Rory McIlroy has withdrawn from the Travelers to take some time away from golf.

He will probably skip the Rocket Mortgage  7/27-7/30 and The John Deere 7/4-7/7 and return in Scotland on 7/11 for The Scottish Open and then THE OPEN at Royal Troon.  There was a nice post on Twitter by his friend Shane Lowry requesting everyone be “kind” to Rory after his disappointing loss.  I wish him well and hope he can do well at the Scottish Open which he won last year and goes on to win his first major in 10 years at The Open.