Charles Schwab Challenge Picks

Scottie Scheffler, who retook the No. 1 ranking in the latest World Golf Rankings, leads the field for this week’s Charles Schwab Challenge. This week’s tournament is not a “designated” event so the prize pool won’t be $20 million dollars but the field is still decent, with a number of top players expected to compete. Joining Scheffler are Tony Finau, Viktor Hovland, Collin Morikawa, Sungjae Im, Max Homa, Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and defending champion Sam Burns, among others. Scheffler is a solid favorite this week and the only golfer listed at single-digit odds at BetRivers. We are coming off a nice pick last week, as we hit Brooks Koepka at odds of 22-1 to win the PGA Championship. Let’s look at Charles Schwab Challenge picks.

Venue: Colonial Country Club is a par 70 that measures 7,209 yards. This will be the 78^th time the PGA Tour will be using the course. The course will undergo a $20 million dollar renovation after this year’s tournament.

Last Year: Sam Burns beat Scottie Scheffler in a playoff last year. It was a huge rally for Burns who came from seven shots behind to win. Weather was a huge factor, as sustained winds of 20 mph caused the leaders all kinds of trouble. Burns got out early and shot a 5-under 65 and just waited to see if he could get into a playoff.

TV Coverage: CBS & Golf Channel

PGA Championship Odds

Scheffler, Scottie +350

Finau, Tony +1200

Spieth, Jordan +1400

Hovland, Viktor +1400

Morikawa, Collin +1600

Sungjae Im +1800

Homa, Max +2000

Rose, Justin +2500

Fleetwood, Tommy +2500

Burns, Sam +2500

Fowler, Rickie +2800

Kirk, Chris +4000

Si Woo Kim +4000

Henley, Russell +4000

Davis, Cameron +4500

McCarthy, Denny +4500

Jaeger, Stephan +6600

Byeong Hun An +6600

Harman, Brian +6600

Kyoung-Hoon Lee +6600

Moore, Taylor +6600

Hoge, Tom +6600

Min Woo Lee +6600

Kitayama, Kurt +7000

Hossler, Beau +8000

Herbert, Lucas +8000

Bezuidenhout, Christiaan +8000

Todd, Brendon +8000

Spaun, J.J. +8000

Smalley, Alex +9000

Detry, Thomas +9000

McNealy, Maverick +9000

Buckley, Hayden +9000

English, Harris +9000

Grillo, Emiliano +9000

Rodgers, Patrick +9000

Fox, Ryan +9000

Palmer, Ryan +9000

Riley, Davis +9000

All other players are listed with odds of +10000 or more.

Favorite

Scheffler, Scottie +350

There is no doubt that Scheffler is the top player in the field and if he wins it would not be a surprise, but I have to remind you that golf favorites lose almost every week. It happened again last week with Jon Rahm failing to deliver. Scheffler was almost the co-favorite and he didn’t win either. I really like Scheffler’s game, but I am not taking him as the favorite and at this price.

Value Picks

Homa, Max +2000

Homa didn’t do anything last week at the PGA, but he has been a bust at most majors so that is not a surprise. He could definitely bounce back this week. This course suits Homa’s game, as he is a player who does well on courses that demand accuracy and on courses where short iron play is critical. Homa is still putting well and that should also put him in contention for the win this week.

Rose, Justin +2500

Rose is a previous winner and Colonial and there is no question he has had a resurgence this year. He finished in 9^th place last week at the PGA. He has done very well in his career in Bentgrass greens with seven wins since 2008. In fact, 9 of his 11 PGA Tour wins are on Bentgrass or Poa Annua greens. His numbers at Colonial are really good and there is no reason he can’t contend this week.

Burns, Sam +2500

The defending champion is worth a look this week. He has been kind of all or nothing lately and that is not all bad news when you are taking a golfer to win. Burns has won five times on the PGA Tour and all five of those wins have come on Bermudagrass fairways. We know that Burns likes Colonial and I see him being in contention again this week.

Kirk, Chris +4000

You can’t ignore Kirk this week, as he has won this event in the past. He has already won this season, as he took the Honda Classic. His overall game this year is strong, as he finished in a tie for 3^rd at the Sony and his statistics say that he has a shot to contend this week.

English, Harris +9000

Should English really be listed with odds this high? He has been playing much better of late including a 3^rd at the Wells Fargo Championship. English is putting well, as he ranks 22^nd on the PGA Tour. He has had wins on similar courses to Colonial in the past, so he is very much in his element this week.

Check out the latest Charles Schwab Challenge odds at BetRivers.