GOLF DFS TRAVELERS CHAMPIONSHIP 2026: BEST DRAFTKINGS PICKS, VALUES, AND FADES

COURSE OVERVIEW

TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut is one of the most birdie-friendly tracks on the PGA Tour calendar, and that reputation makes it a unique puzzle for DFS construction every single year. The par-70 layout plays relatively short at just over 6,800 yards, placing a massive premium on accurate iron play and exceptional putting, particularly on Bermuda greens that reward players who can attack pins with precision and convert mid-range birdie opportunities. The famous 15th and 16th holes along the Connecticut River create a dramatic risk-reward stretch where scoring bursts are routine. Players who generate strokes gained: approach and strokes gained: putting tend to separate themselves from the field here. Big hitters who can overpower courses with length alone often find TPC River Highlands frustrating, while mid-to-long iron specialists who putt well historically thrive. Expect low scoring and a cut line in the red numbers, meaning tournament winners typically reach double digits under par.

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TOP TARGETS THIS WEEK

Scottie Scheffler — $12,400

The world number one has finished inside the top 10 at TPC River Highlands in consecutive appearances and his ball-striking profile is essentially custom-built for this venue. Scheffler leads the Tour in strokes gained: approach this season, which is the single most predictive stat at River Highlands. He will be heavily owned but is nearly unplayable in cash games and strong in large-field GPPs.

*Ownership projection: High*

Xander Schauffele — $11,200

Schauffele has a long love affair with this course, recording multiple top-five finishes and thriving in the birdie-fest environment. His combination of elite iron play and above-average putting makes him a perfect course fit. Slightly lower salary than his ceiling warrants.

*Ownership projection: High*

Sahith Theegala — $9,300

Theegala has quietly become one of the better values in the field, entering on strong recent form with top-20 finishes in three of his last five starts. His aggressive style and above-average iron game play well at River Highlands, and his salary creates lineup flexibility compared to the top chalk.

*Ownership projection: Mid*

Tom Kim — $8,700

The young South Korean star has shown flashes of brilliance and his putting ranks among the Tour's best this season, a crucial skill at this venue. At his salary, Kim offers excellent upside as a mid-tier play who can separate your GPP lineup without sacrificing quality at the top.

*Ownership projection: Mid*

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VALUE PLAYS

Taylor Moore — $7,400

Moore is a sneaky course fit who has made every cut at TPC River Highlands in his career. He generates strokes gained: approach at a respectable rate and rarely makes big numbers. In a week when chalk is expensive, Moore provides cash-game stability at a discount.

Austin Eckroat — $7,100

Coming off a solid ball-striking stretch, Eckroat's iron play has quietly improved and his putting on Bermuda has been reliable. At $7,100 he is among the best salary savers in the field and allows you to load up at the top of your lineup.

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FADES

Rory McIlroy — $11,600

Despite being among the most popular names in the field, McIlroy's putting has been a consistent liability this season and TPC River Highlands will expose that weakness. Fade at high ownership.

Jon Rahm — $10,800

Rahm's course history here is underwhelming and he enters on inconsistent form. Paying up for Rahm this week ties up salary without a strong course fit to justify it.

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LINEUP CONSTRUCTION

In a birdie-fest week, pay up for elite iron play and lock in at least one proven putter near the top of your lineup. Use two or three mid-tier plays in the $8,500–$9,500 range and save salary at the bottom with one strong value play. Avoid stacking fades simply because of name recognition. In GPPs, differentiate with a contrarian mid-range player like Tom Kim over the chalky expensive names.

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