PGA picks: Spieth to find the winner's circle at the Travelers Championship

The Travelers Championship feels like a bit of a hangover this week after the record-setting win by Brooks Koepka at the U.S. Open, but the event should still impress with a very strong field.

At just 6,800 yards, TPC River Highlands is one of the shorter courses on the PGA Tour, but this track can be played a number of ways as evidenced by an eclectic group of past champions.

Rory McIlroy, Jason Day, and Justin Thomas are among the names in play this week, but they don't make the betting board.

Here's who does:

Favorite to watch (odds less than 25-1)

Jordan Spieth

Spieth makes the trip to Hartford for the first time in his career after finishing 35th last week at Erin Hills. He may only have one win, but the 23-year-old has played well this year with five top 10s in 15 events. Spieth hit the ball well at the U.S. Open but surprisingly struggled with the putter. Arguably the best putter in the world, if Spieth hits the ball with the same quality this week, look for him to get the flat stick straightened out.

Odds to win: 10-1
Top-5 odds: 2-1

2nd tier (odds greater than 25-1)

Bubba Watson

If you subscribe to the "horses for courses" theory when betting golf, Watson at TPC River Highlands is your man. Watson has won here twice, and is the all-time earnings leader at the venue. His scoring average since 2008 in Hartford is a stunning 67.19 and it would be shocking if he wasn't in contention here. Watson's form has been terrible this year, but a familiar course may be just what he needs to turn things around.

Odds to win: 30-1
Top-5 odds: 13-2

Long shot (odds greater than 50-1)

Bud Cauley

TPC River Highlands sets up as a second-shot golf course, and Cauley is among the best on Tour in that department. The 27-year-old ranks eighth in strokes-gained approach-the-green, and outside of last week's missed cut, has been in solid form lately. Cauley has three top 10s in his last six events, and at 50-1 he's worth a wager this week.

Odds to win: 50-1
Top-5 odds: 10-1

Super long shot (odds greater than 80-1)

Nick Watney

Watney is another player that falls under the "horses for courses" theory, as the 36-year-old has two top-15 showings in his last three starts here. Watney has been steady but unspectacular in recent weeks, making four straight cuts but finishing outside the top 40 in each. The familiarity of TPC River Highlands should be enough to make him a strong play at 125-1.

Odds to win: 125-1
Top-5 odds: 22-1

Hit this bet, buy a car (odds greater than 175-1)

Wyndham Clark

The Pac-12 Player of the Year will make his PGA Tour debut this week in Hartford, as Clark received a sponsors exemption in to the event. The 23-year-old is an absolute terror off the tee, and should instantly become a fan favorite for the way he attacks a golf course. TPC River Highlands is one of the shorter tracks on Tour but Watson has shown a long hitter can still thrive in recent years. At 400-1, toss a couple bucks on the kid and hope for a strong showing.

Odds to win: 400-1
Top-5 odds: 66-1

Last week's picks

Jason Day: MC
Adam Scott: MC
Bubba Watson: MC
Byeong-Hun An: MC
Jamie Lovemark: T-27

Season record (through 23 events)

Wins: 4
Top 5: 19

(Odds courtesy: Bodog)
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)