12 Jun 2019
The 6,844 yards of the classic Pete Dye par-70 course in Hartford is a relatively short, shot-makers course. Yet accuracy off the tee is essential and the last six champions averaged just short of 14-under-par. With this in mind, we have come up with three players whom we believe will go well at this iconic event, which starts on Thursday.
BRIAN HARMON
Third in this three years ago, Harmon was overhauled by Bubba Watson and Paul Casey, but he is not in bad form as a fair 36th at last week’s US Open underlines.
His two titles thus far have come at the John Deere Classic and Wells Fargo, both courses similar in style and the tee shots are nicely framed for him. While he may not have the power of a Dustin Johnson, this fair course suits his shot-making ability and he has only missed the weekend once on his six previous visits here.
Harmon started well here last year only to fade, but that may have been down to the pressure of contending for the lead at the previous weekend’s US Open and significantly, he is very much in the running for a Ryder Cup place, currently sitting 12th in the standings. Victory here would almost certainly put him in the US team and the Travelers Championship Golf odds of 50/1 look enticing.
RORY MCILROY
While Harmon has experience of the course, McIlroy needed a little time to get flowing on his first visit last year.
His tournament debut did not go according to plan with an up-and-down first three rounds, but on the final day, he hit 12 of 14 fairways and 17 of 18 greens in regulation, resulting in a 6-under 64. It was only a cold putter that cost him.
He said: “It’s a par-70. It’s fun. You can make a lot of birdies. But if you put yourself in the wrong spot, you can make bogeys pretty quickly, as well.”
With the vast majority of the 270,000 people attending last year behind the Northern Irishman, it was clear he was enjoying himself on the final day and those positive vibes will help again.
The 13-time PGA Tour winner, currently ranked eighth in the world, was blown away by the wind on the first day at Shinnecock Hills but he found his form on the back nine on Friday and hit 17 of 18 greens.
While his putting still has to be a concern, it was not as if he had arrived at the US Open in poor form. After sharing 20th place at Riviera on the PGA Tour in February, he went on to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He was then tied fifth in the US Masters and tied eighth in the Memorial.
Only world No1 Johnson has amassed more world ranking points this year.
CHARLEY HOFFMAN
Another player with an exceptional ability to create chances around the greens, Hoffman has shown a liking for this course in the past, finishing runner-up here in 2012.
He followed that by shooting a 61 with his first round here the following year, which included a back nine of 28, and in his past two trips here, he had shot 7-under and 10-under respectively, the latter with a final round 66 which was good enough for third spot behind Jordan Spieth last year.
After an indifferent start to the season, he comes here on the back of a decent 20th-place finish in the US Open and should go well again. His current Golf Odds of 40/1 makes Hoffman a viable each-way price again.
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