Travelers Championship Preview, Picks & Analysis

THERE is always a morning after the night before feeling about any tournament that follows a major, but for the guys competing at the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands this time the overriding feeling will be one of relief.

Relief that Chambers Bay is behind them. Relief that they will probably never have to play it again. And relief that they won't face any putts that force them to consider hitting the ball off the green to ride a wall of death that may or may not throw said ball back towards the hole.

Kevin Streelman is one man who can't wait to return to TPC River Highlands. He won The Travellers last year by a single shot after finishing with seven successive birdies. It was a very special finish from a man who has reached the top the hard way, sometimes wondering where his next meal was coming from before finally breaking through.

If we are to believe that there are horses for courses, it is worth noting that Bubba Watson is a former winner who has also finished second here, and Hunter Mahan, another former winner, has two runners-up places to his name. Mahan has had his struggles but is increasingly showing signs that he is ready to turn the corner. Don't be surprised to see him win his second Travellers title.

Low scoring is not only possible, it is likely. Streelman won with a four-round total of 265 and back in 2009, Kenny Perry reduced the course to a barely credible 258 blows as he won by three shots. Most of the players who do well here on a consistent basis are not long hitters (Perry certainly wasn't), so don't be surprised to see Streelman and Mahan in the mix again.

Charley Hoffman is another who enjoys the course, and he is in decent form this season. A victory is long overdue for the man with the green glove and shoes. You can be sure of one thing - a lot of guys who were entered for this tournament will take the week off after having their brains fried at Chambers Bay.

Branden Grace is unlikely to be one of those withdrawals. A three-time winner on the European Tour this season, Grace played wonderful golf in the US Open. He has played a fair amount of golf in the United States without achieving the success his undoubted talent deserves, but with his confidence now sky-high, don't be surprised to see him a great run at this title.

It might also be the week when Justin Thomas stops making me look like an idiot. The youngster is a fantastic golfer. he has already produced some fabulous golf this season but he needs to string four rounds together, and soon. When he does, the rest of the field will not see him for dust. The same applies to Russell Knox, the brilliant Scot. He has enjoyed a host of top 20 finishes in 2015 and it is surely only a matter of time before he wins his maiden title on Tour. Thomas and Knox are both the sort of players who will win many, many times after they have the first one under their belts. I will go further - before they are finished, they will each win at least one major. Well, think about it - Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy can't win them all, can they?

Travelers Championship Betting Picks 

To win: Russell Knox 40/1. It's your time, Russell

Each-way: Justin Thomas 50/1. It's your time too, Justin

Each-way: Kevin Streelman. 40/1 Will have good memories

Travelers Championship Fantasy Picks

Russell Knox. The Scot is long overdue

Justin Thomas. I need this guy to prove I know what I'm talking about

Kevin Streelman. A good chance of a successful defence

Hunter Mahan. Another with great memories of this place

Charley Hoffman. Just a very solid golfer

Branden Grace. Terrific South African with a big future

David Lingmerth. Can he kick on after the Memorial?

Luke Donald. Desperate for a good week

Matt Every. A tough, tough competitior

Tony Finau. Big hitter is getting closer and closer