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Goal for the Travelers: Just hoping we don’t have anyone actively and loudly rooting against the leaders this weekend.

Rory isn’t here, but otherwise it’s the regular group of elites that we get at the signature events. Last one of the year before we get into the hinterlands that surround the Open Championship.

So, to start, a look at the course. A stark difference from what we saw last week:

TPC River Highlands

Situated about 120 miles northeast of New York City and around 30 miles from the Atlantic coast, TPC River Highlands is located just outside of Hartford in the town of Cromwell, Connecticut. Beautifully carved into slightly rolling terrain, the course gets its name from being situated on a bluff high above the Connecticut River. It meanders over 148 acres with an assortment of trees framing its gently rolling fairways.

It is a par-70 course and is the 3rd shortest on Tour at only 6,844 yards. Immaculately maintained, the course features numerous subtleties that enhance both its strategic demands and overall challenge. The routing of the holes demands certain shot types and shapes. This style of course design has produced a diverse range of champions over the years. Past winners include bombers and shorter fairway finders, Tour veterans and course “first-timers”, and even a blend of favorites and longshots.

Said 2017 winner, Jordan Spieth, “You’ve got to work both ball flights. You’ve got to kind of be fearless in playing different shots. You can’t get out there and just step and hit just draws the whole day. It forces you to hit different shots.”

The agronomy this week features over four inches of Bluegrass/Fescue rough along with a Bentgrass/Poa annua blend on the greens and fairways. Several lakes and ponds enhance the visual appeal of the property, though water is only truly in play on a handful of holes. In classic Pete Dye fashion, however, players are repeatedly tempted into aggressive decisions, particularly on the back nine where risk-reward opportunities require carrying water hazards in pursuit of birdies and eagles.

The primary defense at TPC River Highlands is its penal rough. Players who miss fairways often find themselves unable to attack pins and are instead forced to play conservatively back into position. Combined with small, tiered greens and strategic angles into the putting surfaces, the course places a premium on precision rather than power.

More Reading

• Daily Weather Reports for the week ahead

• Ryan’s Outright Betting Picks

• Our Consensus Rankings

• Tee Times and Betting Odds

• A look ahead at Royal Birkdale

Model

Didn’t overthink things with my course fit model this week

• Ball Striking on “less than driver” events

• Fairway proximity 125-175

• Scrambling on Small Greens

• Putting on Poa

Lots of decisions this week came down to form over fit, but I still needed to see that guys could score on a setup like this to really consider ‘em.

Betting

It's been a bit of a tough week for me to grab any of the golfers near the top, with the low scoring likely and some variance afoot. I like Morikawa more than anyone this week with his ability to take advantage of the softer conditions and toss some darts. The rest are longer shots, but all have their merits on this setup (Harman vs a short course).

Finally, a couple of bombs on the top 20 market with guys that can compete here, but likely not win (imo).

Outrights

Collin Morikawa +3121
Brian Harman +5846
Akshay Bhatia +9550
Jacob Bridgeman +10000

Tom Hoge Top 20 +450
Brandt Snedeker Top 20 +500
Lucas Glover Top 20 +500
ties pay on these

How to Watch

Television

• Thursday, June 25: 3 pm - 6 pm (Golf Channel)

• Friday, June 26: 3 pm - 6 pm (Golf Channel)

• Saturday, June 27: 1 pm - 3 pm (Golf Channel), 3 pm - 6 pm (NBC)

• Sunday, June 28: 2 pm - 4 pm (Golf Channel), 4 pm - 7 pm (NBC)

Streaming

• Thursday, June 25: 7:45 am - 6 pm (ESPN+)

• Friday, June 26: 7:45 am - 6 pm (ESPN+)

• Saturday, June 27: 7:45 am - 6 pm (ESPN+), 3 pm - 6 pm (Peacock)

• Sunday, June 28: 8:45 am - 7 pm (ESPN+), 4 pm - 7 pm (Peacock)

Featured group, marquee group, and featured hole coverage streams all four rounds on PGA Tour Live (ESPN+). Peacock simulcasts the NBC weekend windows.

All times ET.

Weather

Calm and gettable all week at TPC River Highlands, with wind never a real factor, and Thursday looking like the FRL is going to go fairly low. Friday brings the main disruption with showers and thunderstorms likely. Some chances again for the third round, and Sunday looks gorgeous.

Hard to guess at a wave advantage with the smaller field (tighter tee times) and the mess that Friday could be. Any sort of delays during the second round could throw plan for a loop.

News and Notes

not going to lie, I peeked at his stats a little after seeing this. Irons are a bit rough as well, so I ended up avoiding him, but something to monitor

A good explanation on all that’s going to happen to the tour soon-ish

Not exactly golf’s longest day, but several Open Championship qualifiers are happening!

As always, bet responsibly, have fun, and enjoy the Nutmeg state.

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