Betting tips: Who to back at the Travelers Championship
Steve’s top tip: Marc Leishman – each way at 35/1
I have this phobia of backing players who have been at the business end of major championships and are straight out the following week.
The physical, mental and emotional demands that come with trying to win one of the only four tournaments that really matter are considerable – and can often result in a big let down the following week.
Surprisingly, given exertions at Erin Hills, it’s a really strong field at the Travelers Championship, spearheaded by world number three Rory McIlroy.
The Northern Irishman was all over the place in the first round in Wisconsin. He was much more solid in the second, recording a 71, as he tried to rid himself of the rust caused by an injury plagued campaign.
We all know his class and how often will we see him at double figure odds this season?
Ideally, I’d like to see another week of action before I start parting with cash but I may fling a pound or two his way.
Marc Leishman, at more than three times his price, could be a player sneaking just under the radar.
He enjoyed a good first couple of days at Erin Hills and was well in the hunt after rounds of 68 and 72.
He couldn’t maintain that pace but his overall display continued the steady form that has brought the Australian top 20s at the Byron Nelson and Memorial.
Leishman can look back on some very strong performances here.
He won in 2012, finished just outside the top 10 in 2014 and, following the revamp in 2015, was ninth in the rescheduled tournament held in August last year because of the Olympics.
It’s possible to go really low here as Justin Thomas’s 62 and Jim Furyk’s historic 58 last year showed.
With one of the best scoring averages on tour, we could witness another strong performance on a track he clearly likes.
Make sure to click on the video above as I analyse the chances some of the other contenders…
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Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
