The PGA Tour heads to Cromwell, Connecticut this week for the 2025 Travelers Championship, the final Signature Event of the season.
TPC River Highlands may not boast the length of some other tour stops, but it consistently delivers drama thanks to its risk-reward layout and birdie-friendly conditions. With a stacked field on hand and a winning score likely approaching 20-under par, finding the right statistical edges is key to building strong betting cards.
In this preview, we’ll break down the course setup, highlight the key stats to focus on, and reveal our favorite betting picks and values for the week. Let’s dive in.
Tournament Information:
Social Media:
Course Information:
Course Architect:
Comparable Courses:
- Colonial Country Club – Charles Schwab Challenge – RESULTS
- TPC Deere Run – John Deere Classic – RESULTS
- TPC Sawgrass (THE PLAYERS Stadium Course) – THE PLAYERS Championship – RESULTS
- Harbour Town Golf Links – RBC Heritage – RESULTS
Comparable Location (Cromwell, Connecticut):
Designer Link (Pete Dye (1982)):
- PGA WEST (Pete Dye Stadium Course) – Pete Dye (1986) – The American Express
- TPC Sawgrass (THE PLAYERS Stadium Course) – Pete Dye (1980) – THE PLAYERS Championship
- TPC Louisiana – Pete Dye (2004) – Zurich Classic of New Orleans
- Harbour Town Golf Links – Pete Dye (1969) – RBC Heritage
Comparable Yardage (6,844 Yards):
Comparable Greens (Bentgrass / Poa annua .120”):
Comparable Average Green Size (5,000 sq. ft.):
TV Information (all times ET):
Weather:
Course/ Tournament History:
TPC River Highlands itself has a rich history. Originally opened in 1928 as Middletown Golf Club, the course underwent a significant redesign by Pete Dye in 1984 and a later refinement by Bobby Weed in 1989. The current layout plays as a par 70 and stretches just over 6,800 yards—short by modern TOUR standards, but no less demanding. What it lacks in length, it makes up for with narrow fairways, deep rough, well-placed water hazards, and small, undulating greens. The course consistently rewards precise iron play, course management, and a hot putter.
One of the tournament’s defining features is its dramatic closing stretch. Holes 15 through 18 have played host to some of the most exciting finishes on TOUR. The driveable par-4 15th and the risk-reward par-5 13th create prime scoring chances, setting up leaderboard shakeups down the stretch. This combination of scoring opportunities and pressure-packed holes has led to unforgettable moments, including Jim Furyk’s record-setting 58 in 2016 and Jordan Spieth’s walk-off bunker hole-out to win in a playoff in 2017.
During Tuesday’s practice round at the Travelers Championship, PGA TOUR players and caddies take part in a fun tradition known as the “Umbrella at 15 ½” Challenge. This unique hole, positioned between the 15th and 16th at TPC River Highlands, features an 85-yard shot aimed at a floating 40-foot Travelers umbrella in the middle of a pond. Each participant gets just one attempt, with the closest shot earning $10,000 for the charity of their choice. While it adds a light-hearted touch to tournament week, an interesting trend has emerged—since the challenge began in 2010, no winner of the Umbrella Challenge has gone on to win the Travelers Championship in the same year.
Previous Tournament Venues:
| Duration | Course | Location: |
| 1984-Present | TPC River Highlands | Cromwell, Connecticut |
| 1952-1983 | Wethersfield Country Club | Wethersfield, Connecticut |
Previous Tournament Names:
Tournament Records:
- 72-Hole Record:
- 257, Keegan Bradley (2023)
- 18-Hole Record:
- 58, Jim Furyk (final round, 2016)
Course Guide/ Scorecard:
Originally crafted by Pete Dye in 1982, TPC River Highlands features a Par 70 layout, comprising four Par 3s, twelve Par 4s, and two Par 5s.
TPC River Highlands is one of the shortest courses on the PGA Tour, measuring just 6,844 yards—making it the third shortest out of 44 Tour stops. The fairways are relatively narrow, ranking 12th in tightness, with an average width of 30 yards. Greens are also on the smaller side at approximately 5,000 square feet. With only 69 bunkers on the property (18th fewest on Tour), sand isn’t a major hazard this week.
The course features four Par 3s ranging from 158 to 223 yards, with two falling in the 200–225 yard range. Only one of them—No. 16—played over par last year, with a scoring average of +0.043.
No. 5, 223 Yards, Par 3: A challenging par 3 with a long carry over water to a green surrounded by bunkers. The green slopes from back to front.
No. 8, 202 Yards, Par 3: A picturesque par 3 with a pond in front and bunkers surrounding the green. Club selection is crucial due to the prevailing wind.
No. 11, 158 Yards, Par 3: A short par 3 over water to a green surrounded by bunkers. Accuracy is essential.
No. 16, 171 Yards, Par 3: This scenic 171-yard, par 3 requires a well struck mid iron to clear the forced carry over water and stop the ball on the narrow green. The green has a lot of slope in it and pin locations can be difficult. The wind can play a significant role in club selection.
TPC River Highlands also includes twelve Par 4s, seven of which fall between 400 and 450 yards. No. 15 is the shortest at 296 yards, while No. 4 stretches to 481 yards. The toughest Par 4s in 2024 were No. 4 and No. 12, both averaging 4.014 strokes.
No. 15, 296 Yards, Par 4: A drivable par 4 with a risk-reward element. One of the most exciting holes on the PGA TOUR, the 296-yard, par 4, hole No. 15 at TPC River Highlands forces players to make good decisions. There is water to the left and sand to the right. Anywhere from a 2 to 6 can be recorded on a player’s scorecard when walking off this green.
No. 17, 431 Yards, Par 4: Intimidation takes on a new meaning when standing on the tee box at No. 17. Players must fit their shot between the large lake that covers the entire right side and the difficult fairway bunker on the left. A good drive is just the first part to leaving this hole with a par. The approach shot will need to carry the water the entire way, and with any wind, club selection is of most importance. Crowds are huge on this hole because they know it can be the breaking point in the tournament.
No. 18, 444 Yards, Par 4: An absolute perfect finishing hole that allows players to make birdie if they play this par 4 well. At 444 yards, a good drive leaves a mid to short iron approach to a green encompassed by a throng of spectators.
There are just two Par 5s on the layout—No. 6 and No. 13—and both played under par last year. The easiest hole on the course was the sixth, with a scoring average of 4.577.
No. 6, 574 Yards, Par 5: The first par 5 on the course features a wide fairway but narrows near the green, which is reachable in two for long hitters. Water and bunkers protect the green.
No. 13, 523 Yards, Par 5: A reachable par 5 for long hitters. The fairway narrows near the green, which is guarded by bunkers and a steep slope at the back.
Featured/ Signature Hole(s): 15-18
Key Statistics:
The Travelers Championship takes place at TPC River Highlands. Here are the key statistics to keep an eye on for this week’s event.
| Statistics | PGA Tour Average | TPC River Highlands |
| Driving Distance (Yards) | 284.10 | 280.44 |
| Driving Accuracy | 62% | 68% |
| GIR Percentage | 66% | 68% |
| Avg GIR Prox. to Hole (Feet) | 29.25 | 28.00 |
| Scrambling Percentage | 57% | 58% |
| Avg 3 Putts / Round | 0.55 | 0.49 |
According to DataGolf, this is the favored skill set at TPC River Highlands.
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee
- Success at TPC River Highlands starts with strong tee positioning. While distance matters, accuracy is equally critical on this relatively short but tactical layout.
- Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
- Scottie Scheffler
- Luke Clanton
- Kevin Yu
- Rory McIlroy
- Daniel Berger
- Corey Conners
- Ludvig Åberg
- Patrick Cantlay
- Sungjae Im
- Maverick McNealy
- Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
Strokes Gained: Approach
- A sharp iron game is essential this week. With small greens and tight targets, players must dial in their approach shots to generate birdie looks.
- Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
- Scottie Scheffler
- Sepp Straka
- Shane Lowry
- Viktor Hovland
- Daniel Berger
- Collin Morikawa
- Russell Henley
- Ryan Fox
- Patrick Cantlay
- Bud Cauley
- Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
Strokes Gained: Around the Green
- With greens averaging just 5,000 sq. ft., players will inevitably miss a few. A strong short game will be key to saving par and staying in contention.
- Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
- Sungjae Im
- Keegan Bradley
- Jason Day
- Sam Stevens
- Russell Henley
- Tommy Fleetwood
- Ryan Gerard
- Si Woo Kim
- Min Woo Lee
- Mackenzie Hughes
- Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
Strokes Gained: Putting (Bentgrass & Poa Annua)
- The putting surfaces are a mix of Bentgrass and Poa annua. Performance on this specific grass combo often separates contenders from the rest.
- Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
- Sam Burns
- Matt Fitzpatrick
- Aaron Rai
- Xander Schauffele
- Harry Hall
- Brian Campbell
- Harris English
- Mackenzie Hughes
- Sam Stevens
- Scottie Scheffler
- Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
Par 3 Scoring: 200-225 Yards
- Two of the four Par 3s at TPC River Highlands fall in this yardage range. Solid long-iron play will be a quiet key to gaining strokes.
- Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
- Viktor Hovland
- Scottie Scheffler
- Kevin Yu
- Ryan Gerard
- Mackenzie Hughes
- Sam Stevens
- Russell Henley
- Ben Griffin
- Si Woo Kim
- Wyndham Clark
- Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
Par 4 Scoring: 400-450 Yards
- Seven of the twelve Par 4’s at TPC River Highlands range between 400-450 Yards.
- Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
- Tommy Fleetwood
- Scottie Scheffler
- Patrick Cantlay
- Andrew Novak
- Viktor Hovland
- Tony Finau
- Robert MacIntyre
- Xander Schauffele
- Harry Hall
- Nick Taylor
- Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
Birdies or Better Gained
- Low scores are required here—four of the last five champions have reached at least -19. Players must cash in on every opportunity.
- Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
- Scottie Scheffler
- Matti Schmid
- Rory McIlroy
- Justin Thomas
- Luke Clanton
- Viktor Hovland
- Sam Burns
- Akshay Bhatia
- Sepp Straka
- Harry Hall
- Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
Proximity Gained: 125-175 Yards
- Above is the approach shot distribution chart from last year’s event (via DataGolf). Most approach shots come from the 125-175 yard range at a volume much higher than the PGA Tour average.
- Leaders in Proximity Gained: 125-150 Yards in the last 24 Rounds:
- Collin Morikawa
- Tom Kim
- Gary Woodland
- Lucas Glover
- Sepp Straka
- J.J. Spaun
- Stephan Jaeger
- Thomas Detry
- Maverick McNealy
- Keegan Bradley
- Leaders in Proximity Gained: 150-175 Yards in the last 24 Rounds:
- Viktor Hovland
- Xander Schauffele
- Corey Conners
- Daniel Berger
- Hideki Matsuyama
- Tom Kim
- Scottie Scheffler
- Akshay Bhatia
- Shane Lowry
- Ryan Fox
- Leaders in Proximity Gained: 125-150 Yards in the last 24 Rounds:
Strokes Gained: Tee to Green (Length less than 7,200 yards)
- Compact layouts like this test every aspect of a player’s game. Who thrives when length isn’t the only factor?
- Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
- Scottie Scheffler
- Justin Thomas
- Rory McIlroy
- Patrick Cantlay
- Ludvig Åberg
- Aaron Rai
- Russell Henley
- Sepp Straka
- Shane Lowry
- Tom Kim
- Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
Strokes Gained: Total (Pete Dye)
- TPC River Highlands is a Dye design—players who consistently perform on his tracks have a distinct edge.
- Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
- Scottie Scheffler
- Justin Thomas
- Brian Harman
- Hideki Matsuyama
- Tom Hoge
- Rory McIlroy
- Wyndham Clark
- Sepp Straka
- Daniel Berger
- Xander Schauffele
- Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
Comparable Courses and Event History
- Looking at the Data Golf Course History Tool, prior experience at the TPC River Highlands has proven to be advantageous.
- Leaders in this category in the last (SG last 5 editions):
- Patrick Cantlay
- Brian Harman
- Xander Schauffele
- Scottie Scheffler
- Rory McIlroy
- Keegan Bradley
- Viktor Hovland
- Joohyung Kim
- Sungjae Im
- Tony Finau
- Leaders in this category in the last (SG last 5 editions):
The Field:
The 2025 Travelers Championship will feature a field of 72 players, with 26 of the top 30 in the Official World Golf Ranking set to compete.
Basis of qualification for each entrant this week:
- Top 50 on Prior Year’s FedExCup Points List
- Aon Next 10 (projected through the U.S. Open)
- Aon Swing 5 (projected through the U.S. Open)
- Current Year Tournament Winners, not including Additional Events
- Current FedExCup Points List (projected through the U.S. Open)
- Sponsor Exemptions – Members not otherwise exempt
Previous Winners in the Field (Event):
- Scottie Scheffler (2024), Keegan Bradley (2023), Xander Schauffele (2022), Harris English (2021), Jordan Spieth (2017)
Debutants in the Field:
- Alexander Noren, Jacob Bridgeman, Joe Highsmith, Luke Clanton, Matthias Schmid, Max Greyserman, Ryan Fox, Ryan Gerard
Exemptions:
- Luke Clanton – Members not otherwise exempt
- Rickie Fowler – Members not otherwise exempt
- Gary Woodland – Members not otherwise exempt
- Tom Kim – Members not otherwise exempt
Notable Withdraws/ Changes:
- N/A
Tee Times & Groupings:
The Odds:
Here are the current favorites for this week’s event:
| Golfer | Odds | Last 5 Finishes on the PGA TOUR (Recent -> Past) | Last 5 Finishes at the Travelers Championship (Recent -> Past) |
| Scottie Scheffler | +280 | T7-WON-T4-WON-WON | WON-T4-T13-T47-MC |
| Rory McIlroy | +1200 | T19-MC-T47-T7-T12 | T7-T19-T11-T12-T17 |
| Xander Schauffele | +1600 | T12-T25-T28-T11-T18 | T13-T19-WON-T20-MC |
| Collin Morikawa | +1600 | T23-T20-T50-T17-MC | T13-MC-MC-T36 |
| Patrick Cantlay | +2200 | MC-T12-MC-T4-T13 | T5-T4-T13-T13-T11 |
| Ludvig Aberg | +2200 | MC-T13-T16-MC-T60 | T27-T24 |
| Justin Thomas | +2800 | MC-T31-MC-T2-WON | T5-T9-MC-T36-T56 |
| Viktor Hovland | +3000 | 3-T25-T28-T54-T13 | T20-T29-T11-T54 |
Facts & Figures:
Tournament Props:
Playoff:
- Will There Be a Playoff at the Travelers Championship? (Yes +350 / No -500)
Playoffs have been a frequent part of the drama at the Travelers Championship, with two of the last four editions requiring extra holes to crown a winner. The most recent came just last year, when Scottie Scheffler edged out Tom Kim in a sudden-death finish. Since the tournament moved to TPC River Highlands in 1984, there have been 14 playoffs—highlighting just how often this event comes down to the wire.
Hole-in-One:
- Will There Be A Hole-in-One at the Travelers Championship? (Yes -120/ No -120)
There hasn’t been a hole-in-one at the Travelers Championship in the past two editions, with the most recent ace coming from Rory McIlroy on the 8th hole back in 2023. While TPC River Highlands does offer several scoring opportunities on its Par 3s, recent history shows that aces have been tough to come by.
Wire to Wire Winner:
- Will There Be a Wire-to-Wire Winner at the Travelers Championship? (Yes +700)
Wire-to-wire winners have been extremely rare at the Travelers Championship, with only two players accomplishing the feat in tournament history. Gene Littler was the first to do it in 1959, followed by Tim Norris in 1982. It’s been over four decades since a player led from start to finish, highlighting just how difficult it is to maintain the lead all four rounds at TPC River Highlands.
Recent Horses for Courses (TPC River Highlands):
| Travelers Championship | Travelers Championship | Travelers Championship | Travelers Championship | Travelers Championship | |||
| TPC River Highlands | TPC River Highlands | TPC River Highlands | TPC River Highlands | TPC River Highlands | |||
| Golfer | Events Played | SG: Total (Event) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2019 |
| Patrick Cantlay | 10 | +41.85 | T5 | T4 | T13 | T13 | T11 |
| Rory McIlroy | 5 | +24.35 | – | T7 | T19 | – | T11 |
| Xander Schauffele | 6 | +35.92 | T13 | T19 | WON | – | T20 |
| Ludvig Aberg | 2 | +7.18 | T27 | T24 | – | – | – |
| Viktor Hovland | 4 | +15.49 | T20 | T29 | – | – | – |
| Adam Scott | 4 | +12.17 | T39 | T19 | – | T13 | – |
| Hideki Matsuyama | 2 | +11.24 | T23 | T13 | – | – | – |
| Scottie Scheffler | 5 | +33.97 | WON | T4 | T13 | T47 | MC |
| Brian Harman | 14 | +36.98 | T9 | T2 | T8 | T5 | MC |
| Justin Thomas | 9 | +13.65 | T5 | T9 | – | – | MC |
Recent Donkeys for Courses (TPC River Highlands):
| Travelers Championship | Travelers Championship | Travelers Championship | Travelers Championship | Travelers Championship | |||
| TPC River Highlands | TPC River Highlands | TPC River Highlands | TPC River Highlands | TPC River Highlands | |||
| Golfer | Events Played | SG: Total (Event) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2019 |
| Davis Thompson | 2 | -1.56 | – | MC | – | MC | – |
| J.J. Spaun | 6 | -14.27 | – | MC | MC | T47 | MC |
| Max Homa | 6 | -7.63 | T61 | MC | – | MC | MC |
| Byeong Hun An | 5 | +1.74 | W/D | MC | – | MC | T46 |
| Michael Kim | 7 | -7.87 | – | T38 | – | MC | MC |
| Christiaan Bezuidenhout | 3 | -5.16 | T23 | MC | MC | – | – |
Previous Winners Scores, Prices, and Strokes Gained (Rank at Tournament):
- 2024: Scottie Scheffler (-22)
- Price: 5-1
| SG: Off the Tee | SG: Tee to Green | SG: Approach | SG: Around the Green | SG: Putting | |
| Scottie Scheffler | 4th | 2nd | 6th | 17th | 16th |
- 2023: Keegan Bradley (-23)
- Price: 80-1
| SG: Off the Tee | SG: Tee to Green | SG: Approach | SG: Around the Green | SG: Putting | |
| Keegan Bradley | 38th | 7th | 1st | 33rd | 1st |
- 2022: Xander Schauffele (-19)
- Price: 20-1
| SG: Off the Tee | SG: Tee to Green | SG: Approach | SG: Around the Green | SG: Putting | |
| Xander Schauffele | 15th | 8th | 5th | 47th | 4th |
- 2021: Harris English (-13)
- Price: 45-1
| SG: Off the Tee | SG: Tee to Green | SG: Approach | SG: Around the Green | SG: Putting | |
| Harris English | 9th | 3rd | 32nd | 8th | 18th |
- 2020: Dustin Johnson (-19)
- Price: 30-1
| SG: Off the Tee | SG: Tee to Green | SG: Approach | SG: Around the Green | SG: Putting | |
| Dustin Johnson | 46th | 6th | 6th | 25th | 4th |
Previous Winners Incoming Form (Last 5 Starts):
- 2024: Scottie Scheffler
- T41 – U.S. Open (MAJ)
- WON – the Memorial Tournament (PGA)
- T2 – Charles Schwab Challenge (PGA)
- T8 – PGA Championship (MAJ)
- WON – RBC Heritage (PGA)
- 2023: Keegan Bradley
- MC – U.S. Open (MAJ)
- T30 – the Memorial Tournament (PGA)
- T29 – PGA Championship (MAJ)
- T35 – Wells Fargo Championship (PGA)
- T48 – RBC Heritage (PGA)
- 2022: Xander Schauffele
- T14 – U.S. Open (MAJ)
- T18 – the Memorial Tournament (PGA)
- T13 – PGA Championship (MAJ)
- T5 – AT&T Byron Nelson (PGA)
- WON – Zurich Classic (PGA)
- 2021: Harris English
- 3 – U.S. Open (MAJ)
- T14 – Palmetto Championship (PGA)
- T64 – PGA Championship (MAJ)
- T13 – AT&T Byron Nelson (PGA)
- T43 – Wells Fargo Championship (PGA)
- 2020: Dustin Johnson
- T17 – RBC Heritage (PGA)
- MC – Charles Schwab Challenge (PGA)
- N/A – THE PLAYERS Championship (PGA)
- T48 – WGC-Mexico Championship (PGA)
- T10 – The Genesis Invitational (PGA)
Previous Winners Finishes at Event:
2024: Scottie Scheffler
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Travelers Championship | Travelers Championship | Travelers Championship | Travelers Championship |
| TPC River Highlands | TPC River Highlands | TPC River Highlands | TPC River Highlands |
| T4 | T13 | T47 | MC |
2023: Keegan Bradley
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 |
| Travelers Championship | Travelers Championship | Travelers Championship | Travelers Championship | Travelers Championship | Travelers Championship | Travelers Championship | Travelers Championship | Travelers Championship | Travelers Championship | Travelers Championship |
| TPC River Highlands | TPC River Highlands | TPC River Highlands | TPC River Highlands | TPC River Highlands | TPC River Highlands | TPC River Highlands | TPC River Highlands | TPC River Highlands | TPC River Highlands | TPC River Highlands |
| MC | MC | T2 | T47 | T8 | T25 | T39 | T31 | T18 | T29 | T63 |
2022: Xander Schauffele
| 2020 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Travelers Championship | Travelers Championship | Travelers Championship |
| TPC River Highlands | TPC River Highlands | TPC River Highlands |
| T20 | MC | T14 |
2021: Harris English
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 |
| Travelers Championship | Travelers Championship | Travelers Championship | Travelers Championship | Travelers Championship | Travelers Championship | Travelers Championship |
| TPC River Highlands | TPC River Highlands | TPC River Highlands | TPC River Highlands | TPC River Highlands | TPC River Highlands | TPC River Highlands |
| MDF | MC | MC | T25 | T7 | T43 | T64 |
2020: Dustin Johnson
| 2014 | 2009 | 2008 |
| Travelers Championship | Travelers Championship | Travelers Championship |
| TPC River Highlands | TPC River Highlands | TPC River Highlands |
| T31 | WD | T34 |
Picks:
Outrights
Patrick Cantlay (+2200) – DraftKings
Russell Henley (+4000) – DraftKings
Cameron Young (+5000) – FanDuel
Daniel Berger (+5000) – FanDuel
Akshay Bhatia (+7000) – FanDuel
Andrew Novak (+12000) – FanDuel
Matti Schmid (+17000) – FanDuel
Top 20
Keegan Bradley (+105) – DraftKings
Best of luck this week! You can follow me on Twitter @GatorBetting and on Instagram @Gator_Sports_Betting. I always welcome feedback—positive or constructive—so feel free to reach out!
