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Travelers Championship Preview, Picks & Analysis

By: Golf Shake | Sun 31 Jul 2016


BUBBA WATSON and Paul Casey shot the lights out at the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands 12 months ago, with the big-hitting left hander prevailing in a playoff. They had finished tied on an astonishing 264 after 72 holes.

Watson loves this tournament. He won in it 2010 and he finished runner-up in 2012. But don't run away with the idea that this course is designed for big hitters. Other recent winners include Freddie Jacobson (2011),  Marc Leishman (2012),  Ken Duke (2013) and Kevin Streelman (2014). Leishman can get the ball out there, but Jacobson and Streelman are not big hitters, and Duke is one of the shortest hitters on tour, which would indicate that anybody can win this tournament.

The fairways are generous, but they key to scoring well is the greens. Nobody wins this event unless they take around 100 putts over the four days. When Streelman won in 2014 he produced an astonishing run of birdies on the final day - he finished his round with a PGA Tour record seven consecutive birdies for a final round of 64 to pip Sergio Garcia and KJ Choi by a single stroke.


Derek Clements would not be suprised to see Bubba defend this week


Streelman has only won twice in a long career, but he has become a very consistent player in the past four seasons and will surely be inspired by his return to this venue.

But Watson is surely the man to beat. His limelight has been stolen by the recent deeds of Dustin Johnson, Jason Day, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy, but you can't take your eyes off the left-hander for long. He has the most extraordinary swing in professional golf and has always done things his own way. There is something refreshing about the way he attacks the ball, adopting the philosophy that the only way to do it is to hit the ball as hard as you possibly can and then go and find it and do the same again. He says he has never had a lesson in his life and when you watch him swing a golf club you know he is not exaggerating because anybody who taught golf this way would surely be drummed out of the game with their tail between their legs.

Bubba wears his heart on his sleeve and if he has a character flaw it is that when things are not going his way he does tend to lose interest. But when he is in full flow there is no better entertainer in professional golf. And when he keeps the ball in play and putts well, he is just about unbeatable. He is due another big week and I have a feeling this is going to be it.

Look out, too, for Branden Grace, who has worked hard to become one of the best golfers in the world. The South African does everything well, and that includes putting, even though he has adopted the claw grip.

Leishman is a fine Australian golfer who deserves some good fortune. He has suffered with injuries and his wife has been seriously ill.  Last year she was admitted to hospital suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome. She was put in an induced coma and toxic shock began to affect her organs. She was given only a 5% chance of survival but, thankfully, has now made a full recovery. He has now been able to start focusing on his game once again and is surely ready for some big weeks. Leishman was PGA Tour Rookie of the Year back in 2009 when he finished 53rd on the money list in his maiden season, including two runner-up finishes. He won the Travelers in 2012 and lost out to Zach Johnson in a playoff at The Open at St Andrews in 2015.

There would be no more popular winner.

To win:

Bubba Watson. Adores this course

Each way:

Marc Leishman. Not a dry eye in the house if he wins

Each way:

Paul Casey. Will be inspired by return to venue

Fantasy picks:

Bubba Watson. Ready to win again

Marc Leishman. Deserves a big week

Paul Casey. Not had a great season, but that can quickly change

Kevin Streelman. Has great memories

Ryan Moore. Up and down season

JB Holmes. Another big hitter who loves this course

Brrooks Koepka. In the form of his life but lacks consistency

Matt Kuchar. The money-making machine keeps rolling along

Louis Oosthuizen. Sweetest swing in the game

Justin Thomas. Ferocious competitior


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Tags: PGA Tour



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