Missing the cut at the US Open might actually give Jordan Spieth an advantage at this week’s Travelers Championship. While other golfers were grinding over the weekend, getting more frustrated by the minute, the defending champion was relaxing in New York.
Spieth was able to go into Manhattan and enjoy the city, then head up to Cromwell, Connecticut, on Sunday evening. He is presumably disappointed about not playing the weekend of a major championship, but could feel better if it helps him win this event.
“I had a pretty relaxing Saturday compared to most others,” Spieth said. “At the same time I knew if I squeaked by the cut line when I saw the scores, I was even more frustrated at my finish, because going out early Saturday and you shoot something under par, say 3-, 4-under, and I would have been in the last couple groups and had a chance to win the U.S. Open. That was a bummer for sure. But I’ve come here, I’ve kind of regrouped over the weekend.”
Justin Thomas Is Favorite
Despite being fresh for this event, two golfers who played all four rounds of the US Open are ahead of him this week. Justin Thomas, who is No. 2 in the Official World Golf Rankings, is the top pick at 12/1. He won the Honda Classic earlier this year, and has four other top-10 finishes.
Brooks Koepka, who won his second consecutive US Open is next at 14/1. It will be next to impossible for Koepka to win this week. Winning a major is an emotional rollercoaster that takes a lot out of a player. Trying to repeat that performance is difficult. The last person to win a major and then win the following week was Tiger Woods at the 2006 PGA Championship. He won the World Golf Championship Bridgestone Invitational seven days later.
Reed won the Masters this year and then didn’t play again for three weeks until the Zurich Classic. He did well to finish tied for seventh, and that was a team event. Reed, who won the Masters, finished fourth at the US Open.
Rory McIlroy, who shot an 80 in the first round at Shinnecock and never had a chance of making the cut is grouped with Spieth and Reed at 16/1. McIlroy won the Arnold Palmer Invitational and finished tied for fifth at the Masters. He tied for 17th here last year.
Berger as Good Dark Horse
One player that might not suffer from a hangover from competing in a major championship might be Daniel Berger. The 25-year-old finished tied for sixth at Shinnecock, his best result this season.
His last two efforts at this event bode well for betting consideration. He finished second last year, and tied for fifth the year before. At 25/1, he is a very attractive pick.
Another good longshot is Charley Hoffman. He played well at the US Open, tying for 20th, and has had success at this event. He has three top-10 finishes in his last five appearances.