This article is part of our DraftKings PGA DFS Picks series.
TRAVELERS CHAMPIONSHIP
Purse: $6.4M
Winner's Share: $1,152,000
FedEx Cup Points: 500 to the Winner
Location: Cromwell, Conn.
Course: TPC River Highlands
Yardage: 6,841
Par: 70
Defending Champion: Kevin Streelman
Tournament Preview
Following in the wake of the U.S. Open, the PGA Tour traverses nearly 3,000 miles to Cromwell, Connecticut where the Travelers Championship is held at TPC River Highlands. As is normally the case immediately after a major like the U.S. Open, many top players take a week off to recharge their batteries. However, there are plenty fighting off jet lag to make birdies on one of the shortest PGA Tour layouts, while others not in last week's field come in fresh and rejuvenated. The par-70 layout features two reachable par-5s, 12 par-4s and four par-3s that have proven vulnerable to low scoring. The below-average field consists of eight of the top 30 in the world rankings topped by former champion Bubba Watson and last year's runner-up Sergio Garcia.
Key Stats to winning at TPC River Highlands
• Par-4 Scoring
• Birdie-or-Better Percentage (Par-Breakers)
• Current Form
Last Decade of Champions
2014 – Kevin Streelman
2013 – Ken Duke
2012 – Marc Leishman
2011 – Fredrik Jacobson
2010 – Bubba Watson
2009 – Kenny Perry
2008 – Stewart Cink
2007 – Hunter Mahan
2006 – J.J. Henry
2005 – Brad Faxon
Champion's Profile
The list of past champions is a mix of both short and long hitters, but one thing this event offers is a weaker field. This fact has lent itself to many players earning their first victory here, including Watson, Mahan, Leishman, and Henry. One thing needed on TPC River Highlands are plenty of birdies; with 12 par-4s on the card, players with solid par-4 scoring averages and high par-breaker percentages are a good fit. A strong course history is also a good indicator for success as many of the same players like Watson and Mahan have contended here multiple times.
DRAFTKINGS VALUE PICKS (Based on Standard $50K Salary Cap)
DraftKings Tier 1 Values
Bubba Watson - $11,800 (Odds: 12/1)
Patrick Reed - $11,300 (14/1)
Sergio Garcia - $10,400 (18/1)
Billy Horschel - $10,100 (18/1)
DraftKings Tier 2 Values
Keegan Bradley - $9,800 (Odds: 28/1)
Brendan Steele - $8,800 (33/1)
Hunter Mahan - $8,700 (33/1)
Russell Knox - $8,400 (33/1)
DraftKings Tier 3 Values
Justin Thomas - $7,900 (Odds: 40/1)
Matt Jones - $7,400 (66/1)
Brendon Todd - $7,300 (55/1)
Gary Woodland - $7,300 (66/1)
Brian Harman - $6,800 (90/1)
DraftKings Long-Shot Values
Padraig Harrington - $6,500 (Odds: 90/1)
Chad Campbell - $6,300 (90/1)
Michael Thompson - $6,200 (100/1)
Daniel Summerhays - $6,000 (100/1)
Stewart Cink - $5,900 (125/1)
Brian Stuard - $5,700 (150/1)
Charlie Beljan - $5,700 (150/1)
MY PICKS THIS WEEK
Lower-Risk Cash Game Lineup ($50K Salary Cap)
Bubba Watson - $11,800
Brandt Snedeker - $10,900
Nick Watney - $8,200
Brian Harman - $6,800
Daniel Summerhays - $6,000
Stewart Cink - $5,900
Watson has made mincemeat of this short course in previous years with three top-5s including a win since 2010. Snedeker comes in on a streak of three consecutive top-10s and a tie for 11th at the Travelers last year. Watney has only played here twice the past five years but holds two top-15s in those starts. Harman and Summerhays both can manage their way around this shorter course that resembles TPC Deere Run, a course both these guys have great histories at. Finally, Stewart Cink has a good chance to make the cut and provide additional support as a former champion from 2008.
Higher-Risk Tournament Lineup ($50K Salary Cap)
Sergio Garcia - $10,400
Hunter Mahan - $8,700
Russell Knox - $8,400
Justin Thomas - $7,900
Brendon Todd - $7,300
Gary Woodland - $7,300
Sergio tops the list of a dapper lineup coming off great showings at The Players (T2) and U.S. Open (T18), and was second fiddle to Kevin Streelman's highlight reel in last year's Travelers. Hunter Mahan is the former 2006 champ who finished second in 2008 as well. Russell Knox excels in the par-4 scoring department (key for this week) and comes off a top-10 at the FedEx St. Jude in his last start. Justin Thomas is due for a breakthrough after a great start to his rookie year and is top-10 in par breakers on the PGA Tour which bodes well for the short and vulnerable TPC River Highlands. Brendon Todd is a solid fit with his driving accuracy and overall solid game and Gary Woodland can overpower the course with his distance much like Bubba has done successfully in the past.
