GOLF DFS TRAVELERS CHAMPIONSHIP 2026: BEST PICKS AND LINEUP STRATEGY ON DRAFTKINGS

COURSE OVERVIEW

TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut is one of the most scoring-friendly venues on the PGA TOUR, and it rewards a very specific skill set. The par-70 layout plays short by modern standards, typically setting up around 6,800 yards, which puts a premium on precision ball-striking and elite approach play rather than raw distance off the tee. Fairways are generous enough that bombers don't hold a massive advantage, making this a course where accuracy and proximity to the hole from mid-iron distances separate the field. Greens are Bermuda overseeded with bentgrass, demanding strong putting performance, particularly on faster surfaces. Scoring is aggressive at TPC River Highlands — expect weekend winners pushing double digits under par — so targeting golfers who can go low in bunches, not just grind for even-par rounds, is essential for tournament equity.

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TOP TARGETS THIS WEEK

Scottie Scheffler — $12,400

When the world's best player shows up at a course that rewards accuracy and elite iron play, the conversation starts and ends with him. Scheffler's proximity stats are elite at every venue, but shorter, precision-based layouts amplify his floor dramatically. Expect mid-to-high ownership, but his upside justifies the chalk exposure in large-field formats.

*Ownership Projection: High*

Keegan Bradley — $8,800

A Connecticut native who plays like this course was built for him — because frankly, it was built for his game. Bradley has multiple top-10 finishes at TPC River Highlands and consistently ranks among the field leaders in strokes gained: approach at this event. He's mid-salary with legitimate contender upside. Excellent GPP and cash play.

*Ownership Projection: Mid*

Sam Burns — $9,600

Burns has quietly become one of the most reliable ball-strikers on TOUR in recent seasons, and his iron play profiles beautifully at River Highlands. He has shown the ability to string together low rounds on precision-based layouts. At this salary range, he offers strong value relative to his upside ceiling.

*Ownership Projection: Mid*

Sungjae Im — $8,200

Im's ball-striking metrics have been trending upward heading into this event, and his putting on bentgrass surfaces is a hidden strength in his game. He's flown under the radar this season but fits the course profile almost perfectly. Target him heavily in GPP lineups where differentiation matters.

*Ownership Projection: Low-Mid*

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VALUE PLAYS

Davis Riley — $7,400

Riley has quietly posted strong approach numbers this season and fits the accuracy-over-distance archetype that River Highlands rewards. His salary is artificially suppressed after a few missed cuts, making him a sneaky pivot this week.

Taylor Pendrith — $7,200

Pendrith's length off the tee is useful, but his improved iron accuracy is what makes him interesting at this price. He's shown flashes of low-round ability on similar layouts and brings genuine upside for single-digit ownership.

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FADES

Rory McIlroy — $11,800

Rory's pure power profile doesn't get the same boost here that it does at longer setups. His course history at River Highlands is mediocre relative to expectations, and his salary demands too much upside on a layout that may not fully showcase his elite driving advantage.

Brooks Koepka — $9,900

Koepka's grinding, major-mentality game style doesn't translate well to low-scoring birdie-fests. He tends to post uninspiring results at scoring-friendly, precision-based venues, yet chalk ownership will be elevated.

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LINEUP CONSTRUCTION

At TPC River Highlands, build your cash lineups around a sturdy core of iron-play specialists with proven course history. Lock in one elite anchor near the top of the salary range and fill in value with accurate ball-strikers at the $7,000-$8,000 tier. In GPP tournaments, fade at least one of the obvious chalk plays and lean into mid-tier options like Im or Riley to create lineup differentiation. Prioritize strokes gained: approach and putting when making final roster