A crazy stretch of big-time golf continues this week at the Travelers Championship, the final Signature Event of the 2026 season. There is no Rory McIlroy, but Scottie Scheffler and now two-time U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark will both be teeing it up in Cromwell, Conn.
RELATED: Travelers Championship picks 2026: Why our DFS expert is fading Wyndham Clark
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The Golf Digest betting panel is comprised of Pat Mayo of Underdog/Mayo Media Network, Andy Lack of the Inside Sports Network, Ryan Noonan of Betsperts, your two authors and Keith Stewart, the CEO of Read The Line.
Scroll down for our complete betting analysis of the 2026 Travelers Championship:
Travelers Championship picks 2026: Our Experts’ Outright Predictions
Pat Mayo, Underdog/Fantasy National, Mayo Media Network analyst: Russell Henley (34-1, DraftKings) — Saturday was a bad day for Henley on Long Island. However, he rebounded quite nicely in the final round at the US Open, gaining a staggering +3.21 strokes on approach. Hopefully that momentum continues into Cromwell at a course which over indexes his best skill: Accuracy, Wedges, and putting.
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Read The Line’s Joe Idone and John Haslbauer break down whether Sam Burns can rebound from the U.S. Open to win the Travelers Championship:
Watch Read The Line’s full betting breakdown of the Travelers Championship here.
Keith Stewart, PGA, Read The Line: Collin Morikawa (31-1, DraftKings) — An injury followed by paternity leave, and everyone is overlooking Collin Morikawa. Fairway accuracy followed by iron acumen, Morikawa has made a Hall of Fame career out of those two skills. Collin is always in the 20s or lower on the odds board. Currently sitting in the mid-30s, not only do we have an incredible course fit, but we have some significant value as well. A T-17 in the US Open, Collin can definitely cash in at the season’s final Signature Series event. Ryan Noonan, Content Manager 4for4/Betsperts: Justin Thomas (29-1, DraftKings) — Thomas has finished inside the top 10 (T-9, T-5, T-9) in three straight starts in Connecticut. That blends well with his recent run of form, which includes six straight T-23 or better finishes dating back to Doral in early May. TPC River Highlands offers plenty of scoring opportunities to the field if you’re dialed in from 150 yards and in. Over the past three starts at TPC River Highlands, Justin Thomas has given himself a scoring opportunity inside 15 feet on 29.7 percent of his approach shots, which ranks fifth in this week’s field. Stephen Hennessey, Golf Digest managing editor: Russell Henley (34-1, DraftKings) — Henley underwhelmed over the weekend at the U.S. Open, but he gained over three strokes on approach on Sunday, so I’m getting roped back in. He finished runner-up here last year and has strong history at Pete Dye courses, ranking 10th in SG/total all-time across 121 rounds at Dye venues. Christopher Powers, Golf Digest senior writer: Patrick Cantlay (33-1, FanDuel) — Considering this guy doesn’t win golf tournaments anymore, this feels like a donation. But before last week’s missed cut, Cantlay was cruising along, having finished T-17 or better in five of his last six. Now he comes to the comfy confines of TPC River Highlands, where he’s poste top-15 finishes EIGHT times in a row. Not a typo. Andy Lack, Inside Sports Network: Justin Thomas (29-1, DraftKings) — Justin Thomas has recorded top-10 finishes at TPC River Highlands in his last three starts, and he is coming off a 17th-place finish at the U.S. Open, a tournament he has greatly struggled at in recent years. This is the perfect golf course for Thomas to break his winless draught.
Past results: We have our FOURTH winner of 2026, and our first stretch of back-to-back winners. Ryan Noonan and Stephen Hennessey both correctly picked Cameron Young to win the Cadillac Championship at +1250, giving Noonan his third win of 2026 (and his second in a row with the Fitzpatrick bros. at 12-1 at Zurich) and Hennessey his second, his first coming at the Farmers (Justin Rose 60-1). Noonan also nailed Nico Echavarria’s victory at the Cognizant at 60-1. Hop on the train while you can.
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Travelers Championship picks 2026: Sleepers/Dark Horses Who Could Win
Mayo: Jacob Bridgeman (80-1, BetRivers) — It’s been months since Bridge-mania was running wild, but… maybe we’re back? After hitting the skids post-Masters, he’s now started to gain with his irons again, and his once elite putting is returning to those levels. TPC River Highlands can become a glorified putting contest, so Bridgeman is trending perfectly for that. Stewart: Brian Harman (68-1, DraftKings) — Five straight top-10 results at the Travelers, and seven in the last eight starts. Brian Harman has an incredible record at TPC River Highlands. Some are going to look at his iron game and pass on Harman. Losing strokes at the U.S. Open and Muirfield Village does not surprise me for Brian. Neither does gaining strokes on approach for eight straight prior to the Memorial. The driver is on an accuracy run, and the putter gained 4.5 strokes at Shinnecock Hills. Harman’s game is built for this course, and it is time he broke through. Noonan: Brian Harman (68-1, DraftKings) — Harman has finished inside the top 10 in five straight and seven of his past eight starts at TPC River Highlands. That’s about as good as it gets from a course history standpoint, especially without a win. Harman’s also shown a pulse of late after a slow start to the 2026 season. He entered the weekend at Shinnecock Hills in a tie for 11th place but shot 73-73 on the weekend and finished T-32. His best finishes this season have come on shorter, positional comp courses like Pebble Beach (T-19), Sawgrass (T-11), Harbour Town (T-25), and Colonial (T-22).
Hennessey, Golf Digest: Brian Harman (68-1, DraftKings) — Noonan put it way more eloquently than I could have. His odds have come cascading down from 92-1 on Sunday night, but it’s still a worthwhile bet at this number. Powers, Golf Digest: Sahith Theegala (70-1, FanDuel) — Coming off his best finish since March, a T-11 at Shinnecock, Theegala brings some hot irons with him to Cromwell. This was the site of one of his many close calls a few years back. If the putter finally cooperates, this is a nice price on a guy who should have way more than just one PGA Tour win. Lack: Aaron Rai (55-1, DraftKings) — Aaron Rai quietly finished 11th last week at the U.S. Open, and now he travels to another golf course that should accentuate his skill set. Rai remains one of the most accurate drivers in the field and a great short iron player. RELATED: 15 things to know about the PGA Tour’s new world order
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Travelers Championship picks 2026: Players We’re Fading
Mayo: Tommy Fleetwood (14-1, BetRivers) — Maybe he gets his revenge on that pebble that knocked his ball to the side last year. Or he just Tommy’s it up and doesn’t win like normal. Stewart: Si Woo Kim (18-1, Caesars Sportsbook) — Taking Si Woo Kim on a Pete Dye golf course makes all the sense in the world. Trouble is, for all of Kim’s great play in 2026, Si Woo has yet to close one. TPC River Highlands will put a ton of pressure on Kim’s putter. Pressure his flat stick cannot take for 72 holes. Will we see Si Woo on Sunday? Yes, but only because there’s no cut. Over the course of four days, Kim will not be able to keep up with this scoring fest. Noonan: Wyndham Clark (25-1, BetRivers) — It’s safe to assume that the grape has been flowing steadily since Sunday night. Cheers to Wyndham, but he’s an easy pass this week. Hennessey, Golf Digest: Wyndham Clark (25-1, BetRivers) — This is a cop-out but an easy one. Ron Klos described why Clark isn’t a great fit for TPC River Highlands in our DFS column, aside from him running off fumes this week. Powers, Golf Digest: Brandt Snedeker (460-1, DraftKings) — Not winning a siggy in the big 2-6. Lack: Wyndham Clark (25-1, BetRivers) — Wyndham Clark’s victory last week at the U.S. Open was an incredible achievement, but after he presumably opened quite a bit of grape in the past few days, I’m expecting a let down at the Travelers. TPC River Highlands is also a golf course with an incredibly high predictive signal towards driving accuracy, which continues to be the weakest aspect of Clark’s game.
Travelers Championship picks 2026: Matchups
Mayo: Hideki Matsuyama (-104) over Ryan Gerard (Coolbet) — Look, I get Matsuyama hasn’t been great, but this is a totally different class he’s dropped into now. Stewart: Justin Thomas (-118) over Wyndham Clark (BetMGM) — This one is pretty simple. Once the two-time U.S. Open Champion closes that final bottle of grape, the last thing Wyndham Clark is going to do is grind over the Travelers. I love taking advantage of human nature. Justin Thomas has three straight top 10s at TPC River Highlands. I don’t blame Wyndham for taking it easy; in fact, I’m endorsing it. Noonan: J.J. Spaun (-105) over Ben Griffin (Bet365) — Dating back to the Valero Texas Open back in early April, J.J. Spaun has made six non-major championship starts. (Yes, he’s yet to see the weekend at any of the three majors). His worst finish is a T-25 at Harbour Town. He’s finished first, T-25, T-14, T-5, T-6, and T-12. Four of those six events were Signature Events, so it’s not like he can only pick on future “Track 2” Tour Pros. He’s just struggled a bit in the majors, and now he’s a screaming value after last week’s missed cut. Hennessey, Golf Digest: Brian Harman (-110) over Justin Rose (FanDuel) — Harman’s record at TPC River Highlands is otherworldly, and the perfect resume to back in a matchup, especially someone who has been up and down since his equipment change.
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RELATED: The PGA Tour just reinvented itself. It was long overdue Powers, Golf Digest: Justin Thomas (-118) over Wyndham Clark (BetMGM) — Feels a little too easy. JT seems to be close to another breakthrough, while Wyndham is coming off another massive breakthrough and should experience a natural letdown. Lack: Shane Lowry (-140) over Alex Noren (Southpoint) — Even in a missed cut at the U.S. Open last week, Shane Lowry continues to show some promising signs with his ball-striking. Alex Noren, on the other hand, appears to be trending in the wrong direction, especially on approach. Matchup Results from the U.S. Open: Powers: 1 for 1 (Fitzpatrick (-175) over DeChambeau); Mayo: 1 for 1 (Kitayama (-104) over M.W. Lee); Lack: 1 for 1 (Schauffele (-125) over Young); Hennessey: 1 for 1 (Gotterup (-108) over Koepka); Stewart: 0 for 1; Noonan: 0 for 1 Matchup Results from the 2026 season (Wins-Losses-Pushes): Powers: 16-7-0 (up 7.41 units); Stewart: 14-5-2 (up 7.31 units); Mayo: 11-11-1 (up 0.6 units); Lack: 12-10-1 (down 0.51 units); Noonan: 9-11-3 (down 3.28 units); Hennessey: 9-13-1 (down 4.98 units)
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Travelers Championship picks 2026: Top 10s
Mayo: Alex Fitzpatrick (+470, DraftKings) — Once again he was let down by his putter while the ball striking stats were glorious. Maybe this is the week he putts? Stewart: Akshay Bhatia (+600, FanDuel) — Akshay Bhatia’s ball-striking returned at the toughest tournament of the year. A T-17 at Shinnecock Hills, and we now have a full swing to complement the wedge around the green and putter. A perfect fit for a low-scoring wedgefest. Bhatia has contended here before against Scottie and learned how to handle closing TPC River Highlands. Ten places on a player with this much upside is a calculated risk I’m willing to take. Noonan: Russell Henley (+290, DraftKings) — Dating back to the start of the 2024 season, Henley’s gained an average of 1.34 strokes per round at TPC River Highlands and its comp courses, trailing only Scottie Scheffler (2.48) and Tommy Fleetwood (1.39). Henley was very much in the mix at last year’s event after firing a 61 on Saturday, and he entered play on Sunday three shots back, tied for second with eventual champion Keegan Bradley. Hennessey, Golf Digest: Collin Morikawa (+200, FanDuel) — Morikawa’s a popular pick this week and for good reason. He has proven his accuracy off the tee and elite approach play are a great fit for TPC River Highlands. I expect him to be near the top of the leader board again here. Powers, Golf Digest: Keegan Bradley (+470, FanDuel) — Mr. Travelers himself does not have a top 10 in 2026 yet, but he’s put back-to-back solid weeks together and is due for a good putting week. Lack: Corey Conners (+700, BetRivers) — Corey Conners very much impressed last week with a top-25 finish at the U.S. Open where he gained over five strokes on approach. His elite driving accuracy and short iron play should pay dividends at TPC River Highlands.
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Top-10 results from the U.S. Open: Everybody: 0 for 1 Top-10 results from the 2026 season: Mayo: 7 for 23 (up 24.15 units); Powers: 6 for 23 (up 6.25 units); Lack: 5 for 23 (down 0.7 units); Stewart: 5 for 23 (down 1.15 units); Noonan: 5 for 23 (down 3.5 units); Hennessey: 4 for 23 (down 6.6 units) About our experts Pat Mayo is an award-winning video host and producer of long and short-form content, and the host of The Pat Mayo Experience daily talk show. Mayo helped create the golf stats and research website Fantasy National along with the Race for the Mayo Cup One and Done contest. Mayo won the 2022 Fantasy Sports Writing Association Daily Fantasy Writer of the Year and is a finalist for three FSWA Awards in 2023 (Best Podcast, Daily Fantasy Writer of the Year, Golf Writer of the Year). His 27 FSWA nominations lead all writers this decade and are second-most all-time. Follow him on Twitter: @ThePME. Keith Stewart is a five-time award-winning PGA professional, a betting contributor and content partner with Golf Digest. Stewart is a co-founder of Read The Line, the premier on-site live golf betting insights service covering the PGA Tour, LPGA and TGL. Subscribe to Read The Line’s weekly newsletter for the industry’s best betting narratives. Follow him on Twitter @readtheline_. Ryan Noonan is the Betting Content Manager for 4for4 and Betsperts Golf, writing articles and hosting multiple shows under the Betsperts Group umbrella, including Move The Line and our Betsperts Golf Betting Show. Find him on Twitter: @RyNoonan. Andy Lack is a PGA Tour writer and podcaster from New York City who now resides in Los Angeles. Andy is the founder and CEO of Inside Sports Network, a website devoted to the predictive quality of advanced analytics and golf course architecture. He came to Golf Digest’s betting panel after previously writing for Run Pure Sports, RickRunGood.com, the Score and GolfWRX. In his free time, Andy can likely be found on a golf course. Follow him on Twitter: @adplacksports.
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