Golf
Travelers Championship Preview: Sam can Burn through the field in the Travelers
After the intensity of Oakmont and the grind of the U.S. Open, the PGA Tour shifts gears this week to Connecticut for the 2025 Travelers Championship.
Hosted at TPC River Highlands, this tournament serves as the perfect post-Major reset: a more relaxed atmosphere, yet still a crucial stop on the calendar with a quality field and serious FedExCup points on offer.
TPC River Highlands is one of the shortest courses players will see all year at just over 6,800 yards, but don’t be fooled – it still demands precision. The par-70 layout rewards aggressive iron play, hot putting and fearless scoring. Players will look to feast on reachable par fives and short par fours, especially on the closing stretch where eagles and bogeys are equally possible. Expect birdies in bunches and a winning score well into the teens under par.
With momentum from the Majors and a relatively open field, there’s plenty of value this week in identifying players whose games are trending in the right direction. We’ve got our eyes on a surging Ryder Cup star and one of the Tour’s most explosive scorers.
Bet on the Travelers Championship with William Hill
Robert MacIntyre – 33/1
Fresh off a string of strong performances, Robert MacIntyre makes for an intriguing pick at River Highlands. The Scotsman has quietly built a reputation as one of the toughest competitors on Tour, unafraid of the big stage and fully capable of going low on courses that fit his eye. After finishing solo runner-up at Oakmont, MacIntyre rolls into Connecticut with confidence.
His iron play has been sharp in recent weeks, ranking inside the top 20 in strokes gained: approach and 22nd in strokes gained: off the tee. And while his putting can run hot and cold, he’s shown he can catch fire — like he did with his ninth place finish at The Players and T6 at the Charles Schwab
MacIntyre is also playing for more than just a trophy — he’s climbing fast in the FedExCup race and has the look of a player who could break into the top 10 soon. At 33/1, he’s excellent value in a field where elite names may still be recovering from U.S. Open fatigue.
Sam Burns – 35/1
If you’re looking for explosive potential this week, Sam Burns is your man. Known for his streaky brilliance, Burns thrives on courses where birdies are the currency – and River Highlands fits the bill.
Burns has five PGA Tour wins to his name and still feels like one of the most underrated closers on Tour. His putter — one of the best on Tour when hot — is more than capable of carrying him into contention; he’s 1st in strokes gained: putting this season.
With four top-20 finishes in his last four starts, Burns looks primed to make a move – especially battling through Oakmont and being in contention in the final round, albeit falling away. At 35/1, he offers strong upside with a bit between his teeth following Oakmont.
