We can all let out a collective exhale. Another glorious US Open has come and gone. Many of the world’s Top players and PGA pros will take some time off to lick their wounds and nurse their bruised egos after Pebble Beach. Once again, The USGA did a wonderful job of its identification process of the world’s top players otherwise known as the US Open. By 3:00 PM est. on Sunday, many of the world’s elite golfers were leaking oil. Three or four hours later, many of the same guys were broken down gushing oil. Needless to say, Pebble reared its ugly head and proved its worth as an elite US Open venue. Once again, Kudos to the USGA. Now we turn our attention to TPC Highlands and The Travelers Championship. This tournament offers optimum scoring opportunities with the last 16 champion scoring in the double digits under par.
The most obvious element of this field is that so many talented players will have the opportunity to win their first tournament of the season. Many of the top players in this week’s field did not play at Pebble or took an early flight home from The Monterrey Peninsula. Ball striking will be rewarded at this venue with many makeable birdie opportunities. The Travelers is a wonderful venue for so many solid players to elevate their game and pick up a hard to find PGA Tour win. Carpe Diem Gentleman! Here are the three guys who will seize the moment:
Bo Van Pelt- Did I mention ball strikers traditionally win at this venue? Fortunately for Van Pelt, he leads the tour in ball striking. BVP is also ranked in the Top 20 in putts 10-15 feet. He is an easy choice considering his recent consistency. Consistency can make you a lot of money on this tour but wins make you rich and famous. Bo has the talent but does he have the resolve to break through? He will be the hunt on Sunday.
Matt Kuchar- Kuchar has had ridiculous success this season without a win. The Travelers just may be the right venue. Matt is 3rd in all around ranking on The PGA Tour and currently ranked 8th in The FedEx Cup. With his final round 68 at Pebble, Matt’s 6th place finish should translate over to a successful weekend at TPC Highlands. Kuchar consistently goes toe to toe with the tour’s elite but he needs a win to solidify his status.
Hunter Mahan- This may be the easiest pick of all. Why? Hunter has finished no worse than 4th place in the last four editions of The Travelers. Mahan is fourth in ball striking and already boasts a win this year. Needless to say, his comfort level at this tournament will once again put him in contention.
Cink, Rose, and Watson are just a few other names that could possibly make their mark this weekend. Who do you guys like for The Travelers Championship? Let us hear from your at www.facebook.com/weretalkinggolf.
Chris Hill is the CMO of WereTalkingGolf Productions. He writes weekly several times on WereTalkingGolf.com at Bogie’s Banter. He can also co hosts 3 national golf radio shows weekly on WereTalkingGolf Radio. He can be reached via email at chris@weretalkinggolf.com
Tags: Bo Van Pelt, Hunter Mahan, The Travelers, TPC Highlands
