Charles Schwab Challenge preview: TV times and betting tips
It might be behind closed doors but the field for the PGA Tour’s return this week is understandably incredible. Seven of the world’s top 10, including all of the top five, are taking part, as are Phil Mickelson, Rickie Fowler, Sergio Garcia, Patrick Reed, Ian Poulter, Jordan Spieth and Open champion Shane Lowry. But who will come out on top? Let’s find out in our Charles Schwab Challenge betting tips…
- Related: Charles Schwab Challenge prize money
- Related: PGA Tour 2020 schedule
- Related: Rory McIlroy 2020 schedule
- Related: Tiger Woods 2020 schedule
The details
Venue: Colonial Country Club, Fort Worth, Texas
Date: June 11-14, 2020
Course Stats: Par 70, 7204 yards
Purse: $7.5million
Defending Champion: Kevin Na (-13)
Course Summary: Colonial is a relatively flat, tight course. Bunkers and stone lined water hazards guard the contoured greens. Accuracy is crucial for success here, whilst big hitting from the tee won’t be much of an advantage when navigating the narrow corridors of Hogan’s Alley.
Graphic: Golfbidder
Television coverage
Thursday: Featured groups from 12.45pm, live coverage from from 9pm (Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Golf)
Friday: Featured groups from 12.45pm, live coverage from from 9pm (Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Golf)
Saturday: Featured groups from 12.45pm, live coverage from from 6pm (Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Golf)
Sunday: Live coverage from from 6pm (Sky Sports Golf) and 7.30pm (Sky Sports Main Event)
There will also be a ‘Twitter Multicast’ on Thursday, from approximately 6-7.30pm and will showcase athletes, celebrities and other personalities creating their own live audio and video commentary for the featured groups.
Featured groupings for the first and second rounds of the Charles Schwab Challenge (Thursday, Friday on Golf Channel, PGA TOUR LIVE):
McIlroy
Rahm
KoepkaFowler
Spieth
ThomasDeChambeau
D. Johnson
RoseMickelson
Na
Woodland— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) June 7, 2020
Charles Schwab Challenge betting tips: Each-way tips
Viktor Hovland (66/1 with bet365) has already won this season at the Puerto Rico Open. This win was accompanied by a couple of great finishes in 2019, with a 4th place finish at the Wyndham Championship and a T12 at the US Open. Hovland’s accuracy off the tee will be a bonus on this tight, tricky track. When you combine this with him sitting in the top 20 of players on tour for putting average,
he feels like a solid each way shout at that price.
It was a surprise to see Ian Poulter (125/1) at such long odds. Poulter’s experience will serve him well around Colonial, often referred to as an older golfer’s course. His ability to produce accurate iron shots, scramble efficiently, and putt well makes him worthy of a small punt in my books. And let’s not rule out the Ryder Cup effect…
The enigma that is Jordan Speith (45/1) is hard to predict. Spieth is without doubt an extremely talented golfer, who will one day return to the summit he once occupied. The Texas-born golfer has produced some excellent golf in his home state and I am hopeful that after an extended break he will return refreshed and ready to go. That price for a three-time major champion seems a bit steep, even if he can be frustratingly unpredictable.
Charles Schwab Challenge betting tips: The long shot
Danny Lee (140/1) was in good form before the break, with a T5 finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational rounding off a good start to 2020. He also has the ability to shoot low, with a round of 62 at the Mayakoba Classic in November. Lee has played this course well in the past with a 6th place finish in 2017. With his ability to be accurate off the tee, and some previous course pedigree, he sneaks in for a tentative selection at a big price.
Want to see who we’re backing to take top spot? You’ll have to head to the next page…
Alex Perry
Alex has been the editor of National Club Golfer since 2017. A Devonian who enjoys wittering on about his south west roots, Alex moved north to join NCG after more than a decade in London, the last five of which were with ESPN. Away from golf, Alex follows Torquay United and spends too much time playing his PlayStation or his guitar and not enough time practising his short game.
