‘Good Bit Worse’: Brian Harman Serves Nightmarish Reality Check for PGA Tour Pros as $20M Race Poses Massive Hurdle

Fresh out of the U.S. Open, Brian Harman’s warning for the coming weekend at TPC River Highlands has proven that there is truly no rest for golfers this season. Despite being known for its comparatively shorter par-70, 6,841-yard course, the Travelers Championship is all set to present the big names on its field with a big challenge, unlike its previous year’s edition. The major concerns? Well, nature is no longer forgiving in Connecticut, with things worsening because of the ongoing heatwave in the region and the high probability of rain throughout the weekend, peaking at a 55% chance of precipitation on Friday.

While it was possible to shoot as low as the 23-under-par that the defending champion Keegan Bradley shot and maintain a low score under par throughout the field in the 2023 edition of the event, the $20,000,000 million prize purse this year will not be as easy to achieve, per Harman.

So much so, that the current World No. 11’s thorough analysis of this year’s contributing factors has led him to estimate that “the scores will be a good bit worse than they were last year.” His exact words were, “Big miss here is penalized, it’s one of the shortest courses we play all year, but it holds up. Last year the scores were low, but it was hot and no wind and soft. But, this year it’s going to be a little firmer and we got more fescue on the sides of the fairways and I imagine the scores will be a good bit worse than they were last year.” He added, “If the greens will accept an iron shot and they roll well, God’s going to shoot a low scorer. Can’t do anything about it.”

This alarming (and quite frankly scary) reality check has left many mouths agape. After all, just out of Pinehurst No.2 the “Northeast’s one and only PGA TOUR Signature event” will definitely present grieving golfers with a golden opportunity to polish their skills and arrive strong (and perhaps, richer) at the Open Championship staunchly awaiting them next month. So who are some golfers with a fair shot to win the  $3.6 million winner’s payout and a piece of the 700 FedEx Cup points at stake?

Who are some players with the best odds to win the Travelers Championship?

The field is filled with some very strong contenders. Someone like Xander Schauffele, fresh out of a major win at Valhalla, and two following top-10 finishes, has a strong spot to expand his winning streak in Connecticut. After all, he has won here in 2022, and with his drive for success, it seems he has got what it takes to do it once again.

Another strong contender this week remains Patrick Cantlay whose consistency at this venue has already fetched him six top 15s. After his last T3 finish at Pinehurst, Cantlay seems to be in a good place to boost his confidence at this short yet testing course. Finally, another strong contender remains Scottie Scheffler who has emerged as the season’s incomparable World No. 1 rank holder. However, the U.S. Open’s tough test remains as a blot on Scheffler’s performance this season, one he should and probably would want to wash away at TPC River Highlands.

Despite some big names contending, it remains to be seen whether they will be able to break past Brian Harman’s prophetic vision for the week, or not. Only time will tell.