Travelers Championship 2026 Betting Tips: JT fancied for last Signature event

Wyndham Clark became a two-time U.S. Open winner at Shinnecock Hills, where he not only had to battle that formidable layout but a hostile New York crowd to get it over the line on an exciting championship Sunday.

It’s back to PGA Tour action this week and the final Signature Event of the season, as another top-quality field heads to TPC River Highlands for the Travelers Championship.

Our golf tipster Jamie Worsley is back with five more each-way picks this week, so let's check out his Travelers Championship 2026 Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights...

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Having entered the final round with an extra-handy six-shot lead, any hope of a procession for Clark was immediately extinguished, as he bogeyed three of his first seven holes to let a whole host of players back into the contest.

He’s developed into one of the more polarising players in the game in recent years, due in no small part to his infamous reaction for missing the cut at the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont. This spilled over into a final round where there was a surprising lack of support for a home contender, making for an unusual and at times uncomfortable viewing experience.

However, he’s a player with tonnes of grit and self-belief, as he showed when he got the better of an elite leaderboard to win his first U.S. Open title in 2023. That was again evident on the back nine at Shinnecock, as he counteracted a couple of bogeys with two birdies to see off the challenge of runner-up Sam Burns, who let a couple of chances slip by late on.

Whatever your view of Clark, he’s a high-class operator with plenty of heart and, joining an esteemed list of multiple winners of this great championship, he deserves all the plaudits that come his way.

TOURNAMENT HISTORY

The Travelers Championship debuted in 1952 and consistently ranks among the most well-attended events on the PGA Tour. It has been played here at TPC River Highlands since 1984.

Three-time major winner Billy Casper has won this event more than anyone else, recording his four victories in 1963, 1965, 1968 and 1973.

Bubba Watson comes next with three wins (2010, 2015, 2018) and we’ve had five two-time winners: Arnold Palmer (1956, 1960), Paul Azinger (1987, 1989), Phil Mickelson (2001, 2002), Peter Jacobsen (1984, 2003) and Stewart Cink (1997, 2008).

TPC River Highlands was also the scene of a significant piece of PGA Tour history in 2016, as Jim Furyk fired the only ever 58 on the circuit.

Last five winners:

• 2025

Winner: Keegan Bradley (-15)

Runners-up: Tommy Fleetwood, Russell Henley (-14)

• 2024

Winner: Scottie Scheffler (-22, playoff)

Runner-up: Tom Kim (-22)

• 2023

Winner: Keegan Bradley (-23)

Runners-up: Zac Blair, Brian Harman (-20)

• 2022

Winner: Xander Schauffele (-19)

Runners-up: JT Poston, Sahith Theegala (-17)

• 2021

Winner: Harris English (-13, playoff)

Runner-up: Kramer Hickok (-13)

Keegan Bradley won his second Travelers Championship title in a closely-fought contest last year, beating 54-hole leader Tommy Fleetwood, as well as Russell Henley, by one shot. He returns to defend this week.

THE COURSE

TPC River Highlands

• Original architect / Year opened: Pete Dye / 1982
• Renovations: Bobby Weed remodelled the layout in 1989, when it was then renamed TPC River Highlands
• Par / Yardage: Par 70 / 6,844 yards (second-shortest on the PGA Tour)
• Hole breakdown:
  • 4x par 3s (158-223 yards)
  • 12x par 4s (296-481 yards)
  • 2x par 5s (523-574 yards)
• Course style: A gently rolling, tree-lined parkland with frequent elevation changes that delivers a fun, balanced challenge
• Fairways:
  • The sloping fairways are wide, and with many players clubbing down for position, they have one of the highest driving accuracy percentages on tour
  • Four-inch-thick bluegrass/fescue rough and deep, strategically placed bunkers offer ample protection
• Greens:
  • Although the elevated bentgrass/poa greens are small (5,000 sq. ft.), they’re typically receptive and rank among the easiest to hit
  • These moderately-breaking surfaces are around average in putting difficulty
  • As a result of penal rough and deep greenside bunkers, it is the third-toughest test on tour around the greens
• Defences:
  • Water is in play on four of the final six holes
  • The greenside surrounds are the most demanding aspect of playing here
• Average winning score: -17.1 (last 10 editions)

Following a somewhat unremarkable front nine, TPC River Highlands comes alive down an exciting, risk/reward closing stretch.

Holes 15-17 are all played around the same imposing water hazard, protecting the left-hand side of the drivable 296-yard par-4 15^th, sitting short of the narrow green on the 171-yard par-3 16^th, and it lines the right-hand side of the 431-yard par-4 17^th.

It provides an entertaining end to the event, where big swings are possible, and I’m sure we’ll see plenty of drama unfold there once again this week.

THE WEATHER

With over 30mm of rain forecast to fall on Monday/Tuesday, the field will encounter a receptive course in Connecticut. It’s predicted to be largely dry through the tournament itself, and with generally light winds of 7-8mph on the cards, there is little to prevent birdies being made.

KEY STATS

SG: Approach / Greens-in-Regulation (GIR) / Proximity from 125-175 yards

Given those small, receptive greens and the benign conditions on the way, strength in approach will be key at TPC River Highlands. It’s particularly important to be dialled in with the short-to-mid irons, as over 40% of shots fall in that 125-175-yard range.

• 2025
  • Keegan Bradley (Winner): 11^th in SG: Approach / 11^th in GIR
  • Tommy Fleetwood (2^nd): 8^th in SG: Approach / 5^th in GIR
  • Russell Henley (2^nd): 6^th in GIR
  • Harris English (4^th): 10^th in SG: Approach / 11^th in GIR
• 2024
  • Scottie Scheffler (Winner): 6^th in SG: Approach / 2^nd in GIR
  • Tom Kim (2^nd): 2^nd in SG: Approach / 1^st in GIR
  • Tom Hoge (3^rd): 1^st in SG: Approach / 3^rd in GIR
  • Sungjae Im (3^rd): 4^th in SG: Approach / 4^th in GIR
  • Justin Thomas (5^th): 9^th in SG: Approach
• 2023
  • Keegan Bradley (Winner): 1^st in SG: Approach / 6^th in GIR
  • Zac Blair (2^nd): 5^th in SG: Approach / 7^th in GIR
  • Brian Harman (2^nd): 13^th in SG: Approach
  • Patrick Cantlay (4^th): 3^rd in SG: Approach / 14^th in GIR
  • Chez Reavie (4^th): 1^st in GIR
  • Scottie Scheffler (4^th): 6^th in SG: Approach / 14^th in GIR
• 2022
  • Xander Schauffele (Winner): 5^th in SG: Approach / 1^st in GIR
  • T. Poston (2^nd): 2^nd in SG: Approach / 14^th in GIR
  • Sahith Theegala (2^nd): 10^th in SG: Approach / 13^th in GIR
• 2021
  • Harris English (Winner): 15^th in GIR
  • Kramer Hickok (2^nd): 3^rd in GIR
  • Brooks Koepka (5^th): 11^th in SG: Approach

SG: Putting (bentgrass/poa)

On a week where GIR percentages are likely to be high and birdies plentiful, players must hole their fair share of putts to contend.

• 2025
  • Keegan Bradley (Winner): 3^rd in SG: Putting
  • Harris English (4^th): 7^th in SG: Putting
  • Jason Day (4^th): 9^th in SG: Putting
• 2024
  • Patrick Cantlay (5^th): 3^rd in SG: Putting
  • Akshay Bhatia (5^th): 5^th in SG: Putting
  • Each member of the top eight ranked 26^th or better in SG: Putting
• 2023
  • Keegan Bradley (Winner): 1^st in SG: Putting
  • Brian Harman (2^nd): 11^th in SG: Putting
  • Chez Reavie (4^th): 4^th in SG: Putting
• 2022
  • Xander Schauffele (Winner): 4^th in SG: Putting
  • T. Poston (2^nd): 12^th in SG: Putting
  • Sahith Theegala (2^nd): 15^th in SG: Putting
  • Michael Thorbjornsen (4^th): 1^st in SG: Putting
  • Chesson Hadley (5^th): 8^th in SG: Putting
• 2021
  • Harris English (Winner): 18^th in SG: Putting
  • Kramer Hickok (2^nd): 2^nd in SG: Putting
  • Marc Leishman (3^rd): 9^th in SG: Putting
  • Brice Garnett (5^th): 1^st in SG: Putting
  • Kevin Kisner (5^th): 3^rd in SG: Putting
  • Brian Harman (5^th): 4^th in SG: Putting
  • Hank Lebioda (5^th): 6^th in SG: Putting

Par 4 Scoring

Birdie-or-Better %

Those capable of producing birdies in bunches are of obvious interest in scoring conditions like this. The same applies to strong par-4 performers, with those holes accounting for two-thirds of the layout.

CORRELATING EVENTS (COURSES)

John Deere Classic (TPC Deere Run)

As an undulating, tree-lined course featuring frequent elevation changes, generous fairways, and small bentgrass greens, TPC Deere Run is an ideal comp for this week’s test. The rough is similarly punishing and a strong wedge game is required to contend, with approaches from 125-175 yards commonplace.

Notable correlating form:

• Jordan Spieth: Travelers (1^st) / John Deere (1^st, 1^st)
• Kenny Perry: Travelers (1^st) / John Deere (1^st)
• Kevin Streelman: Travelers (1^st, 2^nd) / John Deere (7^th, 8^th, 8^th)
• Ryan Moore: Travelers (2^nd, 2^nd) / John Deere (1^st, 2^nd)
• Brian Harman: Travelers (2^nd, 3^rd) / John Deere (1^st)
• T. Poston: Travelers (2^nd) / John Deere (1^st)
• Russell Henley: Travelers (2^nd) / John Deere (2^nd)
• Chris Stroud: Travelers (2^nd) / John Deere (4^th, 5^th)
• Patrick Rodgers: Travelers (3^rd) / John Deere (2^nd)
• Danny Lee: Travelers (3^rd) / John Deere (3^rd)
• Michael Thorbjornsen: Travelers (4^th) / John Deere (2^nd)
• Hank Lebioda: Travelers (5^th) / John Deere (8^th)
• Scott Stallings: Travelers (6^th, 8^th) / John Deere (4^th, 5^th)

THE PLAYERS Championship (TPC Sawgrass)

Several Pete Dye designs are considered but it’s TPC Sawgrass that stands out. The short-to-mid irons carry significant weight around the thrilling risk/reward layout, which poses a comparably challenging test around the greens.

Notable correlating form:

• Xander Schauffele: Travelers (1^st) / PLAYERS (2^nd, 2^nd, 3^rd)
• Kevin Streelman: Travelers (1^st, 2^nd) / PLAYERS (2^nd)
• Keegan Bradley: Travelers (1^st, 1^st) / PLAYERS (5^th, 7^th)
• Brian Harman: Travelers (2^nd, 3^rd) / PLAYERS (2^nd, 3^rd)
• Tommy Fleetwood: Travelers (2^nd) / PLAYERS (5^th, 7^th, 8^th)
• Tom Hoge: Travelers (3^rd) / PLAYERS (3^rd, 3^rd)
• Justin Thomas: Travelers (3^rd, 5^th) / PLAYERS (1^st)
• Sungjae Im: Travelers (3^rd) / PLAYERS (6^th)
• Jason Day: Travelers (4^th) / PLAYERS (1^st)
• Kevin Kisner: Travelers (5^th, 6^th) / PLAYERS (2^nd, 4^th)
• Akshay Bhatia: Travelers (5^th) / PLAYERS (3^rd)

AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (Pebble Beach Golf Links)

Measuring less than 7,000 yards, Pebble Beach is another diminutive venue with regular changes in elevation, small poa annua greens, and generous fairways. It ranks closely to TPC River Highlands in many areas, though it’s in approach where this link is strongest, with a high portion of shots coming from 125-175 yards.

Notable correlating form:

• Kevin Streelman: Travelers (1^st, 2^nd) / Pebble Beach (2^nd)
• Chez Reavie: Travelers (1^st) / Pebble Beach (2^nd)
• Xander Schauffele: Travelers (1^st) / Pebble Beach (3^rd)
• Daniel Berger: Travelers (2^nd, 5^th) / Pebble Beach (1^st)
• Paul Casey: Travelers (2^nd, 2^nd) / Pebble Beach (2^nd)
• Beau Hossler: Travelers (2^nd) / Pebble Beach (3^rd)
• Tommy Fleetwood: Travelers (2^nd) / Pebble Beach (4^th)
• Russell Henley: Travelers (2^nd) / Pebble Beach (5^th)
• Tom Hoge: Travelers (3^rd) / Pebble Beach (1^st)
• Vaughn Taylor: Travelers (4^th) / Pebble Beach (1^st)
• Jason Day: Travelers (4^th) / Pebble Beach (2^nd, 4^th, 4^th, 4^th)
• Patrick Cantlay: Travelers (4^th, 5^th) / Pebble Beach (3^rd, 4^th)
• Akshay Bhatia: Travelers (5^th) / Pebble Beach (6^th)
• Scott Stallings: Travelers (6^th, 8^th) / Pebble Beach (3^rd)

Wyndham Championship (Sedgefield Country Club)

Sedgefield Country Club is a short, tree-lined par 70 that is similarly demanding in approach and around the greens. That 125-175-yard range is again important, whilst the difficulty of the par 4s is akin to what competitors face at TPC River Highlands.

Notable correlating form:

• Tom Kim: Travelers (2^nd) / Wyndham (1^st)
• T. Poston: Travelers (2^nd) / Wyndham (1^st)
• Ryan Moore: Travelers (2^nd, 2^nd) / Wyndham (1^st)
• Russell Henley: Travelers (2^nd) / Wyndham (2^nd)
• Brian Harman: Travelers (2^nd, 3^rd) / Wyndham (3^rd, 6^th)
• Sungjae Im: Travelers (3^rd) / Wyndham (2^nd)
• Kevin Kisner: Travelers (5^th, 6^th) / Wyndham (1^st)
• Brice Garnett: Travelers (5^th) / Wyndham (6^th)

RSM Classic (Sea Island Resort)

I’ll finish with the RSM Classic at the Sea Island Resort. Hosting three of the four rounds in this multi-course event, the Seaside Course may be more exposed than TPC River Highlands, but as a short par 70 with generous fairways and an emphasis on approaches from 125-175 yards, it can prove a helpful guide.

Notable correlating form:

• Brian Harman: Travelers (2^nd, 3^rd) / RSM (2^nd, 4^th)
• Daniel Berger: Travelers (2^nd) / RSM (2^nd)
• Sahith Theegala: Travelers (2^nd) / RSM (2^nd)
• Russell Henley: Travelers (2^nd) / RSM (4^th, 6^th)
• T. Poston: Travelers (2^nd) / RSM (5^th, 7^th)
• Mackenzie Hughes: Travelers (3^rd) / RSM (1^st, 2^nd, 2^nd)
• Patrick Rodgers: Travelers (3^rd) / RSM (2^nd)
• Tom Hoge: Travelers (3^rd) / RSM (4^th)
• Will Gordon: Travelers (3^rd) / RSM (10^th, 15^th)
• Michael Thorbjornsen: Travelers (4^th) / RSM (7^th, 8^th)
• Kevin Kisner: Travelers (5^th, 6^th) / RSM (1^st, 2^nd)

THE FIELD

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler heads a field that contains 22 of the top 25, with No. 2 Rory McIlroy the only eligible absentee. It includes the now two-time U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark, who moves back inside the top 10 to No. 8.

Keegan Bradley will defend and he is one of five former winners in attendance, joined by Scottie Scheffler (2024), Xander Schauffele (2022), Harris English (2021) and Jordan Spieth (2017).

The European trio of Kristoffer Reitan, Alex Fitzpatrick and Nicolai Hojgaard will all make their TPC River Highlands debuts. Meanwhile, Ben James has received a sponsor’s exemption following an encouraging start to his professional career.

SELECTIONS

Market leaders (1/4, 5 places): Scottie Scheffler 4/1, Xander Schauffele 16/1, Tommy Fleetwood 18/1, Cameron Young 18/1, Matt Fitzpatrick 20/1, Sam Burns 20/1, Ludvig Aberg 20/1

Check out the full Travelers Championship Odds here

2.25 pts Justin Thomas each-way (1/5 - 6 places) @ 22/1

Maintaining his impressive level of consistency with another top-20 finish at Shinnecock, Justin Thomas is my first selection this week. He’s amassed an excellent recent record at the Travelers Championship and, as a typically high-class wedge/short-iron player, he’s an ideal candidate for success in Connecticut.

Thomas returned from a six-month absence with a missed cut at the Arnold Palmer Invitational back in March but hasn’t missed another in 10 appearances since. He was an eye-catching 8^th at THE PLAYERS Championship on just his second start of the campaign and arrives here off the back of five straight top-20s, which includes a 4^th-place finish at the PGA Championship.

Sitting 6^th in this field in SG: Total across the last two months, few in this field are performing as strongly at present. He’s gaining strokes in each respective area, and while his irons are beginning to warm up, it’s on the greens where he’s been most encouraging, ranking 12^th in SG: Putting last week.

Debuting with a 30^th-place finish at TPC River Highlands in 2013, Thomas has gone on to claim four top-10s in the event: 3^rd in 2016, 9^th in 2023, 5^th in 2024 and 9^th in 2025. His Pete Dye record is strengthened by a victory at THE PLAYERS Championship in 2021 and, having secured his most recent win at the Dye-designed Harbour Town in last year’s RBC Heritage, it’s clear how comfortable he is on this type of layout.

1.25 pts Viktor Hovland each-way (1/5 - 6 places) @ 40/1

Viktor Hovland has yet to strike a significant blow at this event, but that could be about to change this week. I believe he’s playing better than his bare form figures suggest in 2026, and with his short-to-mid irons a particular strength, he can build on a season’s-best effort in Canada.

After finishing 10^th at the Phoenix Open to kick off this PGA Tour campaign, Hovland failed to produce another top-10 until he was 3^rd in the Canadian Open two weeks ago, where he played better than anyone over the weekend. That said, he’s only missed three cuts, and even last week there was promise to be found, as he bounced back from his six-over 76 in round one to shoot a one-under 69 in round two, falling just one shot shy of the cutline.

The Norwegian’s approach play shone there, and that has been the case all year, ranking 18^th in SG: Approach, and he is especially effective in those all-important ranges mentioned above, lying 14^th from 125-150 yards and 31^st from 150-175. He has sacrificed length to get the driver under greater control and, with his all-round short-game performances among the strongest we’ve seen from him, he looks close to putting it all together.

Hovland does have two top-20 finishes in five starts at TPC River Highlands, going best when 11^th in 2020 in receptive conditions. He’s also finished 3^rd at THE PLAYERS Championship, 4^th at the Wyndham Championship and, with his slow start last week easy to forgive, there’s every chance he’ll bounce back in style.

1 pt Brian Harman each-way (1/5 - 6 places) @ 50/1

Next up is course specialist Brian Harman, who has an exceptional eight top-10s around this setup. He’s been ultra-consistent in 2026, and this provides him with the perfect opportunity to turn that consistency into a victory.

Harman missed two of his first three cuts to begin the campaign but has only missed another one in 13 outings since. His four top-25s include a best of 11^th at THE PLAYERS Championship, while he makes the trip to Connecticut after finishing 32^nd at the U.S. Open.

He’s showing quality right through the bag at present, but it’s his putting and approach play that increases optimism, ranking 17^th in SG: Putting and 30^th in SG: Approach across the last two-and-a-half months. Meanwhile, positioned 18^th in proximity from 125-150 yards, his short-iron play is another plus.

Harman first played here as a 17-year-old amateur in 2004 and impressively made the cut. He’s competed in every edition since joining the PGA Tour as a pro in 2012, missing just two cuts, and among those eight top-10s, he went closest when 2^nd in 2023.

As a winner of the John Deere Classic in 2014, and having finished 2^nd at THE PLAYERS Championship, 2^nd at the RSM Classic and 3^rd at the Wyndham Championship, there’s no doubt that this is the type of environment that brings out the best in the American.

1 pt Jacob Bridgeman each-way (1/5 - 6 places) @ 70/1

There was plenty to like about Jacob Bridgeman’s 39^th-place finish when put up at last week’s U.S. Open, and I’m keen to give him another shot at TPC River Highlands. He’s an excellent short-to-mid iron player, and with his putter now back to its best, he’s well placed to significantly improve his 52^nd-place finish here in 2025.

Bridgeman has been a little underwhelming in recent months following that fantastic breakthrough start to the season. However, he showed positive signs when 34^th at the Memorial Tournament three weeks ago, and he has backed that up with finishes of 11^th at the Canadian Open and 39^th at Shinnecock.

Despite being the second-best putter on tour, he had suffered a slight lull in this area before rediscovering his touch the last two weeks. His improved iron play has really caught the eye in 2026, ranking 42^nd compared to 124^th last year, and it’s the short-to-mid irons that are the driving force behind this, sitting 12^th from 125-150 yards and 17^th from 150-175.

Bridgeman is also inside the top 10 in both par-4 scoring and birdie-or-better %. Taking into account finishes of 5^th at the John Deere Classic, 5^th at THE PLAYERS Championship and 8^th at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, I have every faith he has the game to be one of the main runners.

1 pt Sepp Straka each-way (1/5 - 6 places) @ 100/1

For my money, the most overpriced player in this week's field appears to be Austria's Sepp Straka. It’s not so long ago since he finished 4^th at the Cadillac Championship before playing perfectly well on a trip back home on the DP World Tour. He’s remained in top-class form in approach, and with some appealing comp form to suggest he can contend here, he could make a mockery of this hefty price.

Straka wasted little time getting up to speed this campaign, recording finishes of 2^nd at Pebble Beach and 8^th at THE PLAYERS Championship across his first six outings. He has been a touch more inconsistent in recent weeks, though he’s still produced plenty of quality, following his 4^th-place finish at Doral by firing four rounds in the 60s to finish 12^th in the Austrian Alpine Open.

His ball-striking has not wavered during this period, and he remains one of the most reliable iron players around, ranking 19^th in SG: Approach. Although he missed the cut last week, it was encouraging to see him return to form on the greens, something I’m counting on him maintaining at TPC River Highlands.

Straka has twice hit the top 25 here, finishing 10^th in 2021 and 23^rd in 2024. He’s a former winner of the John Deere Classic (2023), has two top-10s at THE PLAYERS Championship, and with his runner-up finish at Pebble Beach earlier in the year bolstering his comp form, he feels a must-bet at these odds.