Golf: Charles Schwab Challenge
Venue: Colonial Golf Course, Texas
Dates: Thursday 11th – Sunday 14th June 2020
Tournament Preview
Professional golf makes its much-anticipated return on Thursday, with the world’s best converging on Texas for the Charles Schwab Challenge. The event has been a mainstay on the PGA Tour since 1946 and it will make history as the first event to be played in the wake of the COVID 19 crisis. With over $7 million in the prize pot, and winning alumni including Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, and Tom Watson few events on the tour hold the prestige of the Charles Schwab Challenge.
Betting Preview
Outright Winner
With most players on the tour having endured an enforced break, it will be interesting to see where each player is at this weekend:
World number one Rory McIlory will be chomping at the bit to get back going and he will be tough to beat on favourable conditions here in Texas.
Spaniard Jon Rahm has developed into one of the most consistent performers on the PGA Tour and with three top 10 finishes in the curtailed 2020 season so far, he could be one of the men to beat at Colonial.
World number 4 Justin Thomas was enduring a slow start to 2020 before the COVID 19 outbreak and he will be keen to find form again before the US summer swing.
With his win at the Waste Management Phoenix Open fresh in the memory, Webb Simpson will be keen to return to form here in Texas, in an event he has yet to win.
The much-maligned Patrick Reed will be keen to make a push for the Ryder Cup team, in what has been a successful season for the fiery American so far.
1st Round Leader
It is difficult to know where each player is at due to the enforced mid-season break and those who get off to a good start could take some catching here in Texas:
Another man chasing an automatic Ryder Cup spot is Bryson DeChambeau and he looks to have a game that looks well suited to playing at the Colonial course.
World number 16 Tony Finau has managed 3 top 10 finishes this season and despite only having registered one tournament win in his PGA Tour career, he is a ruthless competitor.
2019 US Open champion Gary Woodland has struggled for consistency since his maiden major triumph and he will be keen to get back performing at his best with the Ryder Cup looming.
Top 10 Finish
With so many good players assembled here in Texas, getting into the winning enclosure could be tough but there are plenty of candidates to finish in the top 10 come Sunday:
Four-time major winner Brooks Koepka has struggled with injuries throughout 2020 but he can never be discounted in any event he plays.
Rickie Fowler was finding form prior to the enforced break, with two top 10 finishes from 6 tour starts and he could find himself in the mix once again this weekend.
Australian Marc Leishman is a fiery competitor and he has a habit of featuring heavily in events, even when some of the so-called ‘bigger’ names are competing.
BetXChange Best Bets:
Outright Winner: Rory McIlroy – 8.50
1st Round Leader: Bryson DeChambeau – 33.00
Top Ten Finish: Brooks Koepka – 3.00
