Draws & Fades: Cameron Young Poised for Breakthrough at Travelers

⛳ Scottie Scheffler fired a sensational 62 in Round 1 of the Travelers Championship — his lowest round ever at TPC River Highlands. He gained a field-best seven strokes and is tied for the lead at 8-under with Austin Eckroat. Naturally, oddsmakers pounced, making Scheffler a -140 favorite to win.

But here’s the catch: Betting Scheffler this early isn’t wise.

With 54 holes left and plenty of scoring ahead, there’s value in looking past the current leader — especially using the “without Scheffler” betting market. That opens up opportunities for sharp bettors seeking a profitable edge without wagering into short odds.

🎯 Draw: Cameron Young (+1600 without Scheffler)

Momentum. Emotion. Familiar turf. Young is riding a wave after T4 finishes at both the RBC Canadian Open and U.S. Open. He’s also second to Scheffler in combined strokes gained (approach + putting) — the most crucial skills at TPC River Highlands, especially with wet rough limiting driving distance and requiring pinpoint approaches.

Even more compelling: His father, David Young, is on the bag. With his regular caddie out sick, the PGA pro dad stepped in, setting the tone for an emotional and focused run. Young thrives on Northeast courses and shot a 59 here last year in Round 3 — a rare feat that speaks volumes about his scoring upside at this venue.

This could be the week he finally shakes off the runner-up narrative and grabs his first PGA TOUR win.

🚫 Fades: Austin Eckroat & Wyndham Clark

🔻 Austin Eckroat (+1200 without Scheffler)
Yes, he’s tied for the lead, but beware: Eckroat ranks 154th on TOUR in second-round scoring and hasn’t logged a single top-10 this season. His history of fast starts followed by stalls makes him tough to trust in a 72-hole format — especially at a shootout like the Travelers.

🔻 Wyndham Clark (+1600 without Scheffler)
Clark’s up-and-down season has left bettors guessing. He’s 133rd in Round 2 scoring and owns only one top-10 this year. With erratic play and a shaky mental game of late, he’s a pass for anyone seeking consistency over the weekend.

🔍 Key Stats After Round 1

• Strokes Gained Approach & Putting: Top indicators of weekend performance.

• Low past rounds: Players like Young (59 last year) and Scheffler (now owns 7 rounds of 65 or better here) are reliable scorers.

• Course comfort: Repeat success matters at TPC River Highlands. Look for confident, strategic iron players.

✅ Conclusion: Bet Smart, Bet Inspired

Scheffler may be the man to beat, but Cameron Young is the man to bet. His combination of ball-striking, emotional spark, and course history screams upside. With a bet in the “without Scheffler” market, you hedge your chances whether he wins or not.

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