Power Rankings: Travelers Championship

Licking his wounds after his first missed cut in over a year, but the good news about the short stay in L.A. is that he’s more rested than the, well, rest. Not even a sometimer at TPC River Highlands but placed T21 in his only recent trip in 2021.

It’s been a minute since the lefty has put four rounds together but that’s been his usual production at TPC River Highlands. In the last five editions, he’s cashed four times – all for a top 10 – and his scoring average is 67.44 in 18 rounds.

Hasn’t had a top 25 in individual competition in over two months, but he hasn’t missed a cut in over nine months and he shared runner-up honors here last year. Seeking to become the first first-time winner here since Ken Duke in 2013.

He’s endured a lot both before and since his victory here in 2021, but the pedal has been back on the metal in the last four months. Since The Genesis Invitational, he’s logged five top 15s on his own ball, including a T8 at the U.S. Open.

The 34-year-old continues to play up to his prime. All of his last paydays have been top 20s. He’s also hung up three top 20s at TPC River Highlands. In his last visit in 2021, sat one back entering the finale before settling at T19.

Not that anyone is surprised but the balance that he’s expressing – inside and outside the ropes – suggests that any healing from the close call at LACC will occur quickly. He’s invested too much this season not to keep his focus forward.

Erased concern about his recent back woe with a T14 at LACC. He was one of only two (Tom Kim) to beat par in each of the last three rounds. With his progress recently interrupted, TPC River Highlands sets up as a warm welcome.

As he approaches his first anniversary of securing status on the PGA TOUR, he’ll begin applying experience on annual host courses, but he’s still a debutant at TPC River Highlands. The world-class ball-striker is fresh off a T8 at LACC.

He was so rattled by Nick Taylor’s historic eagle in the playoff at Oakdale that he went out and threatened to make history of his own in the finale at LACC with a 63 to finish T5. The Brit has been in a groove for a long, long time.

First trip to TPC River Highlands since 2020, so he’s accomplished in the interim what many don’t achieve in a career. Finished T10 at the U.S. Open with a closing 65. The FedExCup points leader has video-game numbers across the board.

Forever famous for spinning a 60 as an amateur at TPC River Highlands in 2011, it’s almost as dubious that he’s yet to wrangle a top 10 in eight tries. Since 2018, he’s 5-for-5 with a T11, two T13s, two T15s and a scoring average of 67.55.

In a better place mentally and it shows. Since the PGA Championship, he’s placed T7, T7, T9 and solo second. Also no stranger to TPC River Highlands where he’s perfect in four trips. Each yielded a top 20, but he’s still after his first top 10.

With an improved short game and, more importantly, the confidence to rely on it, the challenge now is to maintain all clubs on deck. Currently second in the all-around ranking and consecutive cuts made (21). T11 in last Travelers in 2020.

Entering his Title Defense SZN. (The Genesis Scottish Open is forthcoming.) No doubt disappointed to squander his latest chance to make a run at a major breakthrough, but the feels of success at TPC River Highlands gotta help.

If you ever wanted/needed an example of the invisible difference between winning and losing, he’s the current case study. Two wins, a T2, three thirds, two fourths, a T5 … and that’s in just the last four months! Fourth start at the Travelers.