Golf betting tips: Travelers Championship – Matt Fitzpatrick overlooked, Viktor Hovland a shoo-in
The PGA Tour heads to Connecticut this week as a stacked field prepares to tackle the Travelers Championship.
Hosted at TPC River Highlands, the signature event tends to attract golf’s major players, with Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Xander Schauffele amongst those vying for the title this time around.
The Pete Dye course plays similarly to his other creations: at less than 6,900 yards, the Par 70 provides ample opportunity for shorter hitters to put on a strong showing, while accuracy off the tee and elite approach play are paramount thanks to the short lengths offering an abundance of birdie opportunities.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Sam Condy breaks down four of his favourite picks ahead of the action.
Si Woo Kim
Si Woo Kim started well at the US Open last week, shooting a 68 in the first round before petering out through the weekend.
He gained strokes both tee-to-green and on approach, but the South Korean’s putter let him down as he failed to keep up with his counterparts on the greens.
Kim, it must be said, has long been dependable on Pete Dye layouts and courses that play similar.
He’s won the Wyndham Championship and posted multiple top-five finishes along the way as well as recorded a win and two additional top 10s at the Players.
Recent form also suggests he’s performing well in bigger events – eighth at last month’s PGA Championship, plus a top 10 and a top 20 in the last two signature fields.
As a result, with steady play and a course type that clearly suits him, Kim looks poised for another strong showing.
Best odds: 50/1 (6EW, 1/5) with Paddy Power
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Sepp Straka
Sepp Straka returns to a course he knows well, having finished T10 at TPC River Highlands in 2021 and T23 last year.
One of the most consistent performers of 2025 so far, Straka has two wins already this season and is showing no signs of slowing down.
Indeed, the Austrian sits ninth on tour for Driving Accuracy, second for Greens in Regulation, and fifth for Proximity – metrics that are always important when tackling a Pete Dye creation.
Furthermore, last week’s missed cut at Oakmont can be forgiven given the difficulty of the US Open and Straka’s otherwise excellent form.
He thus looks a good pick this week despite the tough field making the trip to Connecticut.
Best odds: 33/1 (6EW, 1/5) with Paddy Power
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Viktor Hovland
Viktor Hovland finally broke into the US Open top 10 last time out, marking a significant career milestone for the Norwegian.
He moreover ranked second in Strokes Gained: Tee to Green at Oakmont and, if not for a cold putter that lost about 0.4 strokes per round on the greens, might’ve actually been the one to lift the trophy.
Regardless, with four top-10 finishes in his last twelve major appearances, a win on one of golf’s biggest stages feels close.
However, for now, the Travelers provides an opportunity to continue building momentum.
And TPC River Highlands does have a history of rewarding players carrying form from the US Open, with Chez Reavie and Harris English both following up top-three finishes in Pittsburgh with wins in Connecticut in recent years.
In the end, taking into account his strong past finishes at the venue, the on-form European looks a shoo-in for this week’s signature event.
Best odds: 33/1 (6EW, 1/5) with Unibet
Matt Fitzpatrick
Matt Fitzpatrick has a good record on Pete Dye designs – including a win at the RBC Heritage – proving that he’s got the game to put on a show this week in Connecticut.
He led proceedings in Strokes Gained: Putting at Oakmont and ranks second in this week’s field for the same metric on Poa/Bentgrass greens over the last 24 rounds.
His comfort on those surfaces will provide a clear-cut advantage for him once the action starts, while his tidy short game is set to keep him polished around the greens.
Yet, although the Englishman hasn’t missed a cut in over two months, he hasn’t garnered attention from the bookies, quietly stringing together a run of consistent finishes on elevated odds.
Fitzpatrick certainly isn’t a favourite, but he should make the weekend and, as a former major winner and someone whom the bookies are overlooking, he shouldn’t be counted out.
Best odds: 80/1 (6EW, 1/5) with William Hill
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