PGA First Look: Travelers Championship

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The PGA First Look is complete with a course preview, odds, salaries, Official World Golf Rankings, and course history.

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Event Preview

Typically after a major, we see a major drop-off in terms of talent at the next event. While the Travelers Championship doesn’t have quite the same field as the U.S. Open, there are quite a few big names teeing it up this week – Rory McIlroy, Jason Day, Jordan Spieth, and Justin Thomas to name a few. If you didn’t like the low scores at Erin Hills, then you won’t be a big fan of this event. It is routinely one of the easiest courses on the PGA Tour and generally turns into a birdie-fest. Having as many golfers as possible make the cut is always important, but especially in these events where players will be racking up a ton of points on the weekend.

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The event is held at the TPC River Highlands in Connecticut. The course is a Par 70 that measures only 6,841 yards. Granted, it only has two par fives, but that’s nearly a thousand yards shorter than the one they played last week in Wisconsin. This event may ring a bell, as Jim Furyk shot a final round 58 last season. As I mentioned earlier, there will be a ton of birdies this week. We’ve seen a mix of short and long hitters contend here and with the course being so short, it is really all about the approach game. Staying in the fairway is important, but accurate drivers can typically find the short grass and a lot of the longer hitters will be clubbing down off the tee.

Rather than focusing on a certain type of driver of the ball, I will be putting almost all of my tee to green emphasis on approach shots. I will also be factoring in par four scoring and golfers that can rack up birdie points. As always, if you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below.

Cut Rule: The top 70 and ties will move on after the first two rounds. The MDF rule is in effect if more than 78 golfers make the initial cut.

Recent Winners of this Event: Russell Knox (2016), Bubba Watson (2015), Kevin Streelman (2014), Ken Duke (2013), Marc Leishman (2012)

Key Statistics (In Order of Importance)

1) Strokes Gained Approach
2) Birdie or Better %
3) Par 4 Scoring
4) Strokes Gained Off the Tee
5) Greens or Fringe in Regulation

Salaries, Odds, and Course History (2012-2016)

Golfer DK Salary FD Salary FDRFT Salary OWGR Odds DK Odds FD Odds FDRFT Odds Cuts 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012
Rory McIlroy $11,600 $10,300 $18,500 3 9 -100% -100% 0% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
Jason Day $11,500 $10,000 $18,200 4 11 -50% 0% 0% 1/1 500 500 18 500 500
Jordan Spieth $11,400 $10,100 $18,700 6 9 67% 50% 0% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
Justin Thomas $10,200 $9,800 $17,600 12 13 0% 0% 0% 2/3 3 73 500 30 500
Paul Casey $9,700 $9,400 $16,500 16 21 0% 0% 0% 2/2 17 2 500 500 500
Patrick Reed $9,500 $9,200 $16,300 17 28 0% 0% 0% 3/5 11 73 87 18 47
Brandt Snedeker $9,400 $9,000 $16,100 32 29 0% 0% 0% 2/2 500 10 11 500 500
Marc Leishman $9,300 $8,300 $15,900 37 33 -25% 9% -25% 5/5 9 39 11 30 1
Daniel Berger $9,100 $8,700 $15,900 28 33 0% -13% -13% 1/1 5 500 500 500 500
Brendan Steele $9,000 $8,200 $15,700 52 36 -20% 14% 0% 4/5 17 25 5 13 112
Brian Harman $8,900 $7,700 $15,900 27 34 0% 31% -38% 4/5 118 3 42 51 24
Tony Finau $8,700 $8,400 $15,600 67 38 -8% -30% 0% 2/2 25 25 500 500 500
Kyle Stanley $8,600 $7,000 $15,300 93 44 -15% 44% 0% 2/5 148 20 104 110 60
Jim Furyk $8,500 $6,500 $14,200 79 68 -64% 38% 0% 1/1 5 500 500 500 500
Bubba Watson $8,400 $8,500 $15,900 40 33 47% 11% 0% 5/5 25 1 31 4 2
Zach Johnson $8,300 $8,300 $14,500 69 63 -31% -91% 0% 4/5 47 6 125 58 64
Kevin Tway $8,200 $6,900 $14,000 185 80 -65% 3% 0% 1/1 500 500 26 500 500
Daniel Summerhays $8,100 $6,400 $13,300 89 95 -94% 10% 0% 1/4 11 136 500 84 112
Chad Campbell $8,000 $6,000 $13,300 164 106 -116% 18% -17% 3/5 104 25 7 70 112
David Lingmerth $7,900 $6,700 $14,400 101 65 -10% 33% 0% 1/2 500 64 87 500 500
Russell Knox $7,800 $7,300 $14,200 41 72 -19% -19% -9% 3/4 1 500 61 13 112
Kevin Streelman $7,800 $5,900 $13,900 139 83 -38% 48% 0% 2/5 134 73 1 146 47
Jamie Lovemark $7,700 $7,300 $13,700 90 87 -35% -48% 0% 2/3 104 500 31 500 69
Xander Schauffele $7,600 $6,100 $13,600 178 93 -42% 28% -6% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
Seung-Yul Noh $7,600 $6,400 $13,300 192 99 -58% 3% -9% 5/5 38 20 61 58 18
Hudson Swafford $7,500 $5,700 $12,400 83 137 -96% 19% 9% 2/3 38 89 24 500 500
Anirban Lahiri $7,500 $6,200 $13,200 66 108 -65% 4% -2% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
Bud Cauley $7,400 $7,200 $14,800 98 53 39% 26% -6% 2/4 70 500 11 84 120
Sung Kang $7,400 $6,500 $12,800 87 125 -68% -27% 0% 1/2 70 500 500 500 127
Joel Dahmen $7,400 $5,100 $12,200 382 181 -136% 29% 1% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
Charley Hoffman $7,300 $8,300 $15,500 49 40 55% -27% 0% 4/4 25 500 26 7 2
Keegan Bradley $7,300 $7,100 $13,300 120 97 -19% -48% -6% 5/5 25 39 31 18 29
Martin Laird $7,300 $7,000 $13,300 104 101 -29% -48% -14% 2/2 62 15 500 500 500
Jim Herman $7,300 $5,200 $12,700 80 129 -58% 42% -2% 2/3 500 68 141 18 500
Nick Watney $7,300 $6,600 $12,600 334 141 -68% -49% -4% 2/2 500 39 11 500 500
Grayson Murray $7,300 $5,900 $12,400 146 151 -87% -4% -4% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
Jonathan Randolph $7,300 $5,100 $12,400 318 175 -110% 30% -16% 1/1 500 60 500 500 500
Spencer Levin $7,300 $5,000 $11,700 353 236 -177% 13% -1% 2/3 11 48 125 500 500
Emiliano Grillo $7,200 $7,600 $14,600 42 62 49% -18% -5% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
Luke Donald $7,200 $6,300 $12,900 82 119 -13% -2% -2% 1/2 118 7 500 500 500
John Huh $7,200 $5,500 $11,900 213 218 -95% -10% -6% 1/5 104 73 114 79 127
Scott Stallings $7,200 $5,500 $11,600 275 239 -126% -28% 1% 0/1 74 500 500 500 500
Andres Gonzales $7,200 $4,600 $11,400 299 270 -164% 17% -6% 1/3 17 140 500 99 500
Cheng-Tsung Pan $7,200 $5,100 $11,800 160 225 -100% 16% 3% 1/1 500 25 500 500 500
Ryan Ruffels $7,200 $5,000 $11,500 419 252 -133% 8% 0% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
Will MacKenzie $7,200 $4,700 $10,900 501 382 -200% 2% -4% 1/2 104 68 500 500 500
Graham DeLaet $7,100 $6,700 $14,700 108 58 62% 45% 0% 4/4 500 4 51 3 68
Byeong-Hun An $7,100 $7,500 $14,800 58 51 66% 11% 0% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
William McGirt $7,100 $7,400 $13,300 54 96 23% -80% -3% 3/4 500 25 31 30 89
Seamus Power $7,100 $6,000 $12,300 323 181 -40% -32% -2% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
JT Poston $7,100 $5,800 $12,300 183 169 -34% -3% 3% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
Jonas Blixt $7,100 $5,900 $12,500 263 164 -32% -11% -19% 1/4 134 89 78 43 500
Morgan Hoffmann $7,100 $6,200 $12,400 156 143 -13% -18% 5% 3/4 145 39 67 9 500
J.J. Henry $7,100 $5,100 $11,400 426 264 -106% -4% 0% 3/5 74 60 87 5 47
Ryan Palmer $7,000 $6,800 $13,900 103 85 45% 3% -3% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
Billy Hurley $7,000 $5,600 $11,700 123 236 -56% -30% -1% 2/3 104 500 57 500 47
Zac Blair $7,000 $5,700 $11,800 253 230 -47% -29% -1% 1/2 62 149 500 500 500
Julian Etulain $7,000 $5,400 $11,600 417 250 -64% -22% -1% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
Tim Wilkinson $7,000 $4,600 $10,800 369 395 -116% 4% 0% 1/3 104 102 18 500 500
Ryan Armour $7,000 $4,700 $10,600 494 475 -129% -6% 0% 0/1 500 73 500 500 500
Rod Pampling $7,000 $5,000 $10,900 161 382 -113% -18% -4% 2/3 38 500 500 70 89
Nicholas Lindheim $7,000 $4,500 $10,600 435 500 -142% 1% -6% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
Rick Lamb $7,000 $4,500 $10,600 488 619 -167% -10% -17% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
Webb Simpson $6,900 $7,900 $14,600 62 61 70% -27% 0% 3/3 34 500 500 5 29
Chez Reavie $6,900 $6,400 $13,600 121 92 48% 15% -3% 4/4 47 25 500 43 11
Kevin Na $6,900 $6,900 $13,500 64 89 50% -10% 6% 0/1 500 102 500 500 500
Harris English $6,900 $7,200 $14,200 105 73 59% -13% -13% 4/4 500 25 7 43 64
Scott Piercy $6,900 $6,600 $12,600 63 143 16% -54% -8% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
Mackenzie Hughes $6,900 $4,800 $11,800 116 229 -25% 30% 0% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
Boo Weekley $6,900 $5,200 $10,800 390 395 -86% -42% 0% 0/1 74 500 500 500 500
Sebastian Munoz $6,900 $4,600 $10,900 373 -81% 6% -4% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
Vijay Singh $6,900 $4,900 $11,400 257 266 -55% 6% -2% 4/5 56 89 31 43 37
Steve Wheatcroft $6,900 $4,700 $11,400 447 264 -52% 18% 0% 0/2 118 128 500 500 500
Geoff Ogilvy $6,900 $5,400 $11,400 225 270 -61% -39% -6% 0/1 118 500 500 500 500
Adam Hadwin $6,800 $7,500 $14,200 53 71 68% -33% -4% 0/2 74 73 500 500 500
Danny Lee $6,800 $7,100 $14,200 99 75 64% -8% -17% 2/3 500 25 87 500 81
Wesley Bryan $6,800 $6,800 $12,900 43 107 44% -35% 2% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
Nick Taylor $6,800 $5,600 $12,500 199 145 25% 15% -8% 1/2 64 144 500 500 500
Jason Kokrak $6,800 $5,600 $12,500 96 136 33% 24% 4% 3/3 34 48 500 500 81
Brian Gay $6,800 $5,400 $12,400 252 151 21% 20% -5% 3/4 88 500 71 51 81
Michael Kim $6,800 $5,300 $11,800 219 225 -4% 4% 3% 0/1 88 500 500 500 500
Robert Streb $6,800 $6,000 $12,100 188 204 5% -42% -3% 1/2 500 500 87 58 500
Patrick Rodgers $6,800 $5,700 $12,400 180 145 27% 13% 2% 3/4 3 39 46 500 127
Fabian Gomez $6,800 $5,500 $11,500 152 256 -24% -35% -2% 0/1 500 500 500 84 500
Alex Cejka $6,800 $5,100 $11,000 232 334 -48% -19% -1% 1/2 11 144 500 500 500
Harold Varner $6,700 $6,000 $12,700 134 126 44% 4% 0% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
Vaughn Taylor $6,700 $5,900 $11,900 158 209 15% -30% -1% 3/4 38 500 61 99 11
Beau Hossler $6,700 $5,200 $12,400 551 171 26% 24% -14% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
Tyrone Van Aswegen $6,700 $5,200 $12,100 302 200 19% 17% -1% 3/3 5 60 26 500 500
Ricky Barnes $6,700 $5,500 $11,900 293 214 14% -7% -3% 3/5 68 140 46 13 134
David Hearn $6,700 $6,000 $11,900 221 205 16% -44% 0% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
Kyle Reifers $6,700 $5,500 $11,700 209 232 3% -20% 2% 0/3 134 89 500 500 99
Brian Stuard $6,700 $5,200 $11,800 150 234 2% 0% -5% 2/4 38 25 114 124 500
Shawn Stefani $6,700 $4,900 $11,900 463 214 14% 30% -3% 1/2 11 500 114 500 500
Patton Kizzire $6,700 $5,400 $11,400 194 259 -12% -30% 1% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
Bryson DeChambeau $6,700 $5,400 $11,500 153 252 -7% -24% -1% 1/1 47 500 500 500 500
Steven Alker $6,700 $4,500 $10,500 670 729 -73% -11% -1% 1/1 500 60 500 500 500
Lucas Glover $6,600 $6,400 $13,300 100 100 60% 0% -11% 1/3 500 89 500 151 47
Whee Kim $6,600 $6,100 $12,900 165 124 53% 2% -7% 0/2 148 112 500 500 500
Ben Crane $6,600 $5,800 $12,200 412 186 31% -11% -1% 2/3 104 500 74 75 500
Dominic Bozzelli $6,600 $6,000 $12,400 145 151 39% -20% -7% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
Tag Ridings $6,600 $4,800 $10,900 606 358 -17% -1% -3% 1/2 500 500 150 43 500
Troy Merritt $6,600 $4,900 $10,600 341 464 -27% -18% 2% 1/3 88 73 67 500 500
Richy Werenski $6,600 $4,500 $10,600 290 567 -48% -8% -15% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
Brett Drewitt $6,600 $4,600 $10,600 645 492 -34% -6% -4% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
Brett Stegmaier $6,600 $4,600 $10,600 424 505 -38% -9% -7% 0/1 152 500 500 500 500
Zack Sucher $6,600 $4,500 $10,500 589 575 -49% -9% 1% 0/1 500 112 500 500 500
Matt Every $6,600 $4,600 $10,700 1051 467 -28% -1% -2% 0/2 500 89 500 132 500
Charlie Beljan $6,600 $4,500 $10,500 792 -54% -13% -3% 1/4 500 73 125 84 29
Smylie Kaufman $6,500 $6,100 $12,900 137 121 59% 4% -5% 0/1 141 500 500 500 500
Trey Mullinax $6,500 $5,900 $12,500 245 146 48% -2% -10% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
Ryan Brehm $6,500 $5,100 $11,400 298 271 5% -13% -8% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
Retief Goosen $6,500 $5,300 $11,700 240 243 19% -10% -5% 2/2 47 500 51 500 500
Michael Thompson $6,500 $4,800 $11,400 241 266 10% 13% -2% 0/5 118 89 114 124 146
Derek Fathauer $6,500 $4,900 $11,100 223 309 2% -3% -1% 0/2 88 102 500 500 500
John Peterson $6,500 $5,200 $11,500 549 267 8% -20% -11% 2/3 500 48 104 500 84
Brett Coletta $6,500 $4,900 $10,900 367 306 3% -2% 4% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
Hunter Mahan $6,500 $5,300 $11,100 889 323 1% -35% -2% 3/5 70 102 78 24 11
Bob Estes $6,500 $4,700 $10,700 483 -16% -8% -5% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
Brian Campbell $6,500 $4,700 $10,600 433 483 -16% -8% -2% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
Andrew Loupe $6,500 $4,500 $10,600 332 545 -31% -7% -14% 0/3 74 102 125 500 500
Jhonattan Vegas $6,400 $6,300 $12,400 68 158 50% -42% -9% 2/3 500 54 31 500 127
Cameron Percy $6,400 $4,800 $11,500 362 257 23% 18% -3% 3/3 47 54 500 30 500
Robert Garrigus $6,400 $5,000 $11,400 247 268 16% -3% -5% 2/3 5 39 500 110 500
Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano $6,400 $5,000 $10,900 618 354 7% -15% -2% 1/3 500 73 26 84 500
K.J. Choi $6,400 $5,400 $11,900 249 231 33% -11% -14% 2/2 500 500 2 43 500
Ken Duke $6,400 $4,900 $11,500 416 257 23% 10% -3% 4/5 88 10 46 1 47
Carl Pettersson $6,400 $4,900 $11,400 940 281 13% -1% -9% 2/3 500 5 7 99 500
Martin Flores $6,400 $4,500 $10,600 277 538 -16% -6% -13% 0/2 500 102 500 118 500
Rory Sabbatini $6,400 $4,600 $10,600 564 495 -8% -6% -5% 2/3 56 500 500 99 18
Mark Wilson $6,400 $4,500 $10,600 720 527 -15% -4% -11% 2/4 128 7 125 63 500
Wyndham Clark $6,400 $4,800 $10,700 446 0% -7% 0% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
Miguel Angel Carballo $6,400 $4,500 $10,600 584 491 -7% 3% -3% 3/3 56 500 18 500 71
Greg Chalmers $6,400 $4,600 $10,600 313 518 -12% -10% -9% 2/5 47 112 87 110 37
Chad Collins $6,400 $4,500 $10,600 351 541 -17% -7% -13% 1/3 74 39 78 500 500
Bobby Gates $6,400 $4,500 700 -21% -10% 0/3 500 500 153 132 99
Brandon Hagy $6,300 $5,200 $12,100 278 199 50% 18% 0% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
Padraig Harrington $6,300 $4,900 $11,900 163 218 45% 28% -6% 3/4 64 102 500 72 11
Kelly Kraft $6,300 $5,200 $11,900 182 234 39% 0% -17% 0/2 128 500 500 500 149
Stuart Appleby $6,300 $4,500 $10,900 511 336 18% 16% 0% 4/4 47 500 18 9 18
Ryan Blaum $6,300 $5,400 $11,100 342 325 20% -49% -3% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
Cody Gribble $6,300 $5,000 $11,000 237 342 18% -14% -3% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500
Johnson Wagner $6,300 $4,500 $10,600 282 482 7% 5% -1% 2/5 141 73 57 153 47
Bryce Molder $6,300 $5,200 $10,800 288 418 12% -44% -2% 4/5 56 64 104 30 64
Brad Fritsch $6,300 $4,500 $10,600 533 521 -1% -4% -10% 1/2 500 500 87 51 500
Jason Bohn $6,300 $4,600 $10,700 453 463 10% 1% -1% 0/3 500 73 500 110 99
Mark Anderson $6,300 $4,500 $10,600 391 517 1% -1% -8% 1/2 500 15 500 500 127
Mark Hubbard $6,300 $4,600 $10,600 605 529 -3% -14% -12% 1/1 500 71 500 500 500
Peter Malnati $6,300 $4,900 $10,600 480 518 0% -30% -9% 0/2 104 500 125 500 500
Bobby Wyatt $6,300 $4,500 $10,600 656 500 3% 1% -6% 0/1 500 500 78 500 500
Troy Kelly $6,300 $4,500 $10,500 742 -9% -12% -2% 0/1 500 500 500 500 89
Billy Downes $6,300 $4,500 $10,400 1292 -11% -13% -1% 0/0 500 500 500 500 500

Color Coding
Course history in BLUE indicates a top ten finish.
Course history in GREEN indicates a top 25 finish.
Course history in YELLOW indicates a made cut with a finish outside of the top 25.
Course history in RED indicates a missed cut.

Legend

Term Description
Site Odds The percentage differential between a golfer’s salary rank and odds rank. The higher the %, the better.
OWGR Official World Golf Ranking
Cuts Cut record of each golfer at this course in the last five seasons.
2012 – 2016 Columns Course history at this event in the last five seasons.

About the Author

Notorious
Derek Farnsworth (Notorious)

Derek Farnsworth (aka Notorious) is a lead RotoGrinders Expert and one of the most recognizable names and faces in all of DFS. Before joining the RotoGrinders team, Derek received a Master’s Degree from the University of Utah. When he’s not busy providing content, he’s dominating the DFS industry as evidenced by his consistent top rankings in several sports and multiple Live Final appearances. Noto provides expert NBA, NFL, MLB, and PGA analysis for RotoGrinders Premium members on a daily basis and has also been nominated for five different Fantasy Sports Writer’s Association (FSWA) awards. Follow Noto on Twitter – @RG_Notorious