Charles Schwab Challenge: Scottie Scheffler looks strong as ever, Sepp Straka can shine again
- Martin Colwell
- 23 May 2023
After the drama of Brooks Koepka’s Major success last week, the USPGA Tour moves down to Texas, where Tipstrr golf expert Martin Colwell assesses the contenders for the Charles Schwab Challenge.
The Colonial Country Club at Fort Worth is a par 70 of 7,209 tree-lined yards in the classical parklands style that demands driving accuracy to hit tight fairways from tee to green.
With six water hazards and plenty of strategically placed bunkers to foil big hitters off the tee, it provides a strategic test of golfing skills.
Anyone who misses the fairway will find themselves either in long rough or hampered by trees, making the small Bentgrass greens tricky to find on approach.
Popular Texan Scottie Scheffler is the clear early favourite after finishing runner-up in last week’s USPGA Championship at Oak Hill, where a poor Saturday and continued ordinary form with the putter cost him dear.
Suggested bet: Scottie Scheffler to win the Charles Schwab Challenge
Collin Morikawa was runner-up here in 2020 and so has course form, but he continues to be let down by his putter, so there appears to be little value in his odds unless or until the flat stick warms up.
Better value can be found with Scheffler’s nearest contender in the betting, Jordan Spieth, at around 12/1.
Spieth has ten top eight finishes on this course, and his game improved each round last week, so if his wrist injury does not impair him too much he is sure to go well on a course he loves.
Suggested bet: Jordan Spieth each-way in the Charles Schwab Challenge
Others to consider
Max Homa, defending champions Sam Burns and Sungjae Im are resonating around the 20/1 mark, but none of them are in great form at present, albeit with the caveat that this type of classical course suits all three of them on their day.
Tommy Fleetwood is playing well at present and put in a good effort at Oak Hill last week, and this kind of classical course suits Tommy’s strengths. He can be found at 33/1, but he remains a tour maiden after several years on tour, which makes it difficult to back him, although that elusive first win must surely arrive at some point.
Kurt Kitayama can show up in majors and big tournaments, but at the same time he is equally capable of missing the cut several times a year. Kurt finished in the top ten last week and so brings in some good form, and if he can post a decent score on Thursday the 50/1 currently available could appear to be great value.
Last but not least, I like the look of Sepp Straka, who finished 7th= alongside Rory McIlroy last week and has featured on Sundays on tour on several occasions.
The big Austrian is currently 80/1, or even 100/1 in places, and that seems worthy of each-way consideration this week.
Suggested bet: Sepp Straka each-way in the Charles Schwab Challenge
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