After the drama of Tiger Woods´s US Open play-off victory against Rocco Mediate it´s back to the meat and drink of the PGA Tour with this week´s Travelers Championship.
Formerly titled the Buick Championship, the River Highlands event has traditionally favoured brain over brawn with solid old fashioned iron players like Woody Austin, Peter Jacobsen and Brad Faxon claiming this event in the past five years.
Punters should also make a note of players who were involved over four rounds of last week´s testing examination at Torrey Pines.
Four grinding and mind sapping days at a US Open is probably not the best preparation for an event that takes place on the other side of America.
Korean-born US citizen Kevin Na finished 9th here last year and will tee-off fresh as a daisy having missed last week´s events in California.
He´s finished 4th twice this season (Hawaii and Phoenix) and in an event where many of the Tours top players are resting he rates an excellent each-way bet at long odds.
The precise iron play and excellent short game of 2007 Masters champ Zach Johnson will be just what the doctor ordered at the short par 70, 6820 yard Connecticut track.
Many of the greens resemble up-turned saucers with lots of run-off areas and Johnson´s brilliant chipping game will come to the fore this week.
Our final selection is Aussie swinger Peter Lonard. It is no surprise to see the Melbourne man make his first appearance on the PGA Tour since the Players´ Championship.
He´s returned finishes of 25th, 9th and 29th at River Highlands in his last three visits and will enjoy the firm and fast June conditions. He´s had a fairly lean time since finishing 2nd in New Orleans in April but relishes the challenge on this track.
