The final PGA Tour signature event of the 2024 season, the Travelers Championship, takes place on Thursday, June 20 at TPC River Highlands, Connecticut, USA.
A relatively short course, a par 70, 6,852-yard jaunt, boasts 12 par fours, only two par fives and four par threes. The course certainly benefits strong and accurate drivers of the ball, those strong on approach from distances of around 125-175 yards, and those with solid all-round games.
The big names are expected to be in attendance, with the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Partick Cantlay and Viktor Hovland set to tee off.
Shots gained off the tee is a key first metric to look at on this course, with Scheffler well ahead of the field (2.743) ahead of Schauffele (1.774) and Hideki Matsuyama (1.565).8). More weight can be given to driving accuracy over drive distance at TPC River Highlands due to the course's shorter yardage.
That could bring the likes of Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry, Collin Morikawa, Si Woo Kim, Sepp Straka and Aaron Rai, who rank in the top 50 in the total driving category.
Approach play from the 150–175-yard range appears to be a strong factor as well, which could offer some joy to the likes of Emiliano Grillo, Jacob Bridgeman, Kurt Kitayama and defending champion Keegan Bradley.
Scheffler (7/2), of course, has the all-round game that will have him in the mix for victory. The world number one's series of 11 successive top 10 finishes ended at the US Open as he finished outside of the top 40.
He ranks number one on the PGA Tour in scoring average (68.02), par fours (3.87), birdie average (4.91), greens hit in regulation (72.98%) and putting average (1.687).
Those looking to splash their cash on an outsider have a few options they can consider. Austrian Straka ticks a lot of the boxes.
He has four top 10 finishes in his last seven tournaments – including T5 in his last two non-major events – is number one on the PGA Tour for drive accuracy which will set him up for a strong showing, and at Evens for a top 20 finish, he's easy to back.
Shane Lowry is also worth a look given on statistical analysis. The Irishman is currently sixth on the PGA Tour in percentage of par four scoring a birdie or better (20.33%), 16th in total driving, seventh in drive accuracy and 35th on approach from 200 yards or less (49'2).
Best Bets
Scottie Scheffler to finish top five - 8/11
Shane Lowry to finish top 10 - 5/1
Sepp Straka to finish top 20 – Evens
