The Travelers Championship returns this week to TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut, where Scottie Scheffler, the defending champion, aims to reclaim the top spot in the betting odds. Following a T7 finish at last week’s U.S. Open, Scheffler is viewed by FanDuel Sportsbook as the favorite to win this season’s eighth and final Signature Event.
Scheffler’s Bid to Defend His Title at TPC River Highlands
Scottie Scheffler, hailing from Texas, heads into the Travelers Championship seeking to defend his crown for the fifth time in the 2025 season. After a solid performance at Oakmont during the U.S. Open, where he posted even-par over the final 54 holes, the three-time PGA Tour winner has extended his top-10 streak to eight events this year. His previous success at TPC Craig Ranch, where he finished 31 under par, reinforces his status as the player to beat. Scheffler’s current odds of +280 reflect his strong position among contenders.
Notable Contenders and Their Recent Form
Among the challengers is Rory McIlroy, who posted a T19 at the U.S. Open following a missed cut at the RBC Canadian Open. His closing round of 67 at Oakmont, featuring six birdies and leading the field in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee, highlighted his potential. McIlroy has consistently performed well at TPC River Highlands, with a previous best finish of T7 in five appearances. As he heads into a busy summer including The Open Championship at Royal Portrush, stringing together four strong rounds will be crucial for success. His odds stand at +1100.
Also in contention is Xander Schauffele, the 2022 winner at TPC River Highlands, who holds the highest winning total in recent editions with a 19-under score. After a steady U.S. Open where he finished T14, Schauffele looks to improve his putting and swing consistency, elements that have hampered his earnings earlier in the season. With a streak of eight consecutive national championships where he’s finished T14 or better, Schauffele’s odds are +1200.
California’s Collin Morikawa (+2000) demonstrated excellent ball striking during the U.S. Open, leading in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee and Approach the Green, despite struggling on the greens. His past efforts at TPC River Highlands include a T13 finish last year after being just three shots off the lead through 54 holes. A high ranking in Birdie Average on TOUR indicates he could flourish if his putting improves this week.
Other Players to Watch with Competitive Odds
Ludvig Åberg, a Swede who claimed victory at The Genesis Invitational earlier this year, enters the tournament with +2000 odds. Despite limited success on this course previously, his impressive third-round 62 last year and 2023 win at The RSM Classic highlight his ability to post low scores in shootouts. However, greens in regulation remain a concern, rating only 89th on TOUR, which could affect his chances here.
Justin Thomas (+2200) arrives following a playoff win at the RBC Heritage and looks to course-correct after missing weekend cuts in seven of his last eleven major starts. Leading the TOUR in Birdie Average, Par Breakers, and Birdie or Better Conversion Percentage, Thomas is well-positioned to challenge for his 17th career victory at TPC River Highlands, where he has compiled strong results including a T5 last year.
Patrick Cantlay also stands out among contenders. As an amateur at UCLA, Cantlay set the course record of 60 at the Travelers Championship in 2011, a mark later broken by Jim Furyk’s 58. Cantlay’s consistency at TPC River Highlands is notable, with seven appearances in the past seven years all resulting in top-15 finishes. However, his streak of qualifying for the U.S. Open weekend ended last week at Oakmont. Still, his strong finishes outside the majors suggest he remains a formidable competitor, carrying odds of +2200.
U.S. Open Stars Adding Depth to the Field
The recent U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun (+5000) leads a group of top-five finishers including Robert MacIntyre (+4500), Viktor Hovland (+3500), and Cameron Young (+5500), all bringing strong momentum into the Travelers Championship. Their performances at Oakmont have placed them among the hopefuls challenging the established favorites.
Former Champions and Other Potential Impact Players
Several previous Travelers champions are also competing, including 2023 winner Keegan Bradley (+4500), 2021 champion Harris English (+7000), and 2017 victor Jordan Spieth (+6000). Their experience on this course adds an exciting layer to the event’s competitive landscape.
Extended Betting Odds for Other Contenders
The following list from FanDuel Sportsbook highlights other notable players and their odds:
- +4000: Tommy Fleetwood, Sam Burns, Sepp Straka, Corey Conners
- +4500: Shane Lowry
- +5000: Taylor Pendrith
- +5500: Russell Henley, Ben Griffin
- +6000: Hideki Matsuyama, Min Woo Lee, Sungjae Im, Adam Scott
- +6500: Luke Clanton, Tony Finau
- +7000: Maverick McNealy, Si Woo Kim
- +8000: J.T. Poston, Mackenzie Hughes, Akshay Bhatia, Aaron Rai, Daniel Berger
- +9000: Matt Fitzpatrick, Brian Harman, Wyndham Clark, Max Greyserman, Rickie Fowler, Denny McCarthy, Harry Hall, Jason Day, Ryan Fox, Tom Kim
Impact of the Travelers Championship on the Season
The Travelers Championship stands as the final Signature Event of the season, making it a critical opportunity for players like Scottie Scheffler and his closest rivals to vault the leaderboard and strengthen their standings. The tournament format guarantees all 72 competitors will play four rounds, eliminating cut pressure and increasing the intensity of strategic play.
With the golf world watching, Scheffler’s attempt to maintain dominance at TPC River Highlands will be closely followed, while challengers like McIlroy, Schauffele, and Thomas aim to disrupt his rhythm and claim victory. The results here will help set the stage for the upcoming summer tournaments, including major championships across the Atlantic.
“I’m looking forward to defending my title at TPC River Highlands. The course suits my game well, and after Oakmont, I’m eager to get back into contention.” —Scottie Scheffler, Defending Champion
“Rory put together a strong closing round at the U.S. Open, showing that his game is in good shape heading into a challenging stretch of tournaments.” —Golf Analyst
As players prepare mentally and physically, the Travelers Championship offers a high-stakes test where determination and focus will be as critical as skill. Fans and bettors alike will watch closely to see if Scottie Scheffler can indeed restore order atop the leaderboard at this prestigious event.