Golf: Charles Schwab Challenge
Venue: Colonial Golf Course, Texas
Dates: Thursday 27th – Sunday 30th May 2021
Tournament Preview
Following on from Phil Mickelson’s remarkable victory at the USPGA Championship last week, attention now turns to the hectic schedule on the regular tour. The Charles Schwab Challenge. has been a mainstay on the PGA Tour since 1946 and its Colonial Golf Course home in Texas is one of the most notorious golf courses in America and beyond. With over $7 million in the prize pot, and winning alumni including the aforementioned Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, and Tom Watson few events on the tour hold the prestige of the Charles Schwab Challenge.
Betting Preview
Outright Winner
Plenty of big names are set to be in contention this week, with serious prize money and ranking points to play for:
After breaking his 3 year winning duck earlier this season, Jordan Spieth looks to be a man rekindling his best form once more and he should be very much in the mix this weekend.
2020 USPGA Champion Collin Morikawa hasn’t perhaps kicked on as many people would have expected this year but he should relish the playing conditions in Texas this week.
Few players in the world are as consistent on the PGA Tour as Justin Thomas and he looks to be a good bet to be fully in the mix at Colonial this weekend.
The much-maligned Patrick Reed will be keen to make a push for the Ryder Cup team, in what has been a solid season for the fiery American so far.
Defending Charles Schwab Challenge champion Daniel Berger is a superb ball-striker and his course and distance win in 2020 should hold him in seriously good stead this weekend.
1st Round Leader
As with any event, particularly the competitions with the potential for high scores, the players who get off to a good start could take some catching here in Texas:
World number 13 Tony Finau has managed countless top 10 finishes this season and despite only having registered two tournament wins in his PGA Tour career, he is a ruthless competitor.
Exciting Canadian Corey Connors set the pace at the USPGA Championship following the first day last weekend and his game looks to be well suited to conditions here in Texas.
Another man in the mix throughout at the USPGA Championship last weekend was Jason Kokrak and the American has a tendency to start quickly, making him a genuine contender here.
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:
Mexican Abraham Ancer has become a steely competitor in recent weeks and with an unnerving ability to strike a ball cleanly, he could be a real contender this weekend.
Young American Will Zalatoris finished runner up in his maiden Masters appearance earlier this year and his game looks to be tailor made for conditions here in Texas.
Englishman Ian Poulter 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.
Charles Schwab Challenge BetXChange Best Bets:
Outright Winner: Collin Morikawa – 14.00
1st Round Leader: Tony Finau – 33.00
Top Ten Finish: Abraham Ancer – 1.85
