AFTER tipping the US Open winner last week Louis Ross (@LouisRoss67) is back with more US Tour thoughts.
Travelers Championship | Thursday – Sunday | Sky Sports
The morning after the night before. This tournament has always felt like that, following on from as it always does, the U.S. Open. Sitting three weeks before THE Open doesn't help either. Over the last few years, this week has thrown up some odd and fairly long priced winners. None of those had finished in the Top 10 at the big one the week before.
Chambers Bay, let's be honest, was more like a Crazy Golf course than what most of us would recognise to be where a US Open is normally played. This could not be more different.
A Par 70 at 6841 yards, it's up to 1000 yards shorter than Chambers Bay at its longest. It is a different kind of test. One that will test iron play certainly but a red hot putter is what will get the job done here. Expect a winning score of between -15 and -20. You can't shoot those kind of numbers unless you are rolling the ball incredibly well.
I have mentioned before, players that were on my ‘list' that I did not include. Well this week I thought I would share that list with you. I'm sure the winner is in there somewhere but although I may have several bets (mainly EW doubles with the European Tour), it is only fair I narrow down my selections to four each week. So, we had …. Bubba Watson, Zach Johnson, Keegan Bradley, Mark Leishman, Kevin Na, Matt Jones, Jason Bohn, Kevin Streelman and Louis Oosthuizen.
I have suggested Louis O here so many times and he has let us down. The guy has some serious injuries. The sweetest swing in the game no doubt, but I just can't invest in him when you never know if he will make it to the start, let alone what he will do. A fit Louis wins by a mile but I have been burned too many times with him.
Ok, main pick. I'm sorry but this is fairly short odds again but I really like Bubba at 14/1. He won here in 2010, 2nd in 2012 & 3rd in 2013. Bubba can putt with the best, clearly loves the course and is really talking up what he can do this week. Short and sweet. I think Bubba wins.
I simply cannot let go of Kevin Na who has appeared here more than anyone else. Nine Top 20s in 11 starts. Many a time I have said this guy is capable of a 59 and I will happily play him at 40/1 EW. I also think he's a lock at 7/4 for the Top 20.
Keegan Bradley seems to get closer every week and has finally found some form with the short (then long, then short again) stick. He has dealt with the demise of the long putter better than almost anyone else. 40/1 seems a bit long for me.
Now I have a dilemma. Everyone and his wife is tipping Zach Johnson this week. 40/1 has already gone and 35/1 still seems massive. It's him or Mark Leishman for last spot this week. Leishman is 45/1 with Coral. I have sat and thought about this one all day. The boss was delighted. Up until two mins ago I still could not split them but Zach at 35s in this field? With his accuracy off the tee and iron play? With his putter fairly hot right now? It has to be.
This is a tough one guys. Remember that players ranked 100-150ish are playing for Open spots and even their cards next year. It often throws up a ‘Who?' kind of winner. Hopefully we can pick up some stake money for a couple of really confident picks at St Andrews.
Best Bets
Travelers Championship – Bubba Watson to win (14/1 Coral)
Travelers Championship – Kevin Na each way (40/1 BetVictor)
Travelers Championship – Keegan Bradley each way (40/1 Coral)
Travelers Championship – Zach Johnson each way (35/1 Bet365)
Travelers Championship – Kevin Na Top 20 (7/4 BetVictor)
