PGA picks: Day to thrive in comfortable setting at Travelers Championship

With difficult course conditions and major championship pressure, the U.S. Open was as big a grind as any event on the calendar.

That's what makes the Travelers Championship the perfect tournament to follow the season's second major, as the annual event at TPC River Highlands always seems to deliver as an extremely fun week.

After Jordan Spieth's epic 18th-hole bunker shot for the win last year, another strong field featuring Justin Thomas, Jason Day, Rory McIlroy, and Brooks Koepka will make the start in the Hartford area.

Here's who to target.

Favorite to watch (odds shorter than 25-1)

Jason Day

There isn't a ton of value with any of the top players in the field this week, and at 16-1, Day is as good as it's going to get. The Australian is an absolute beast on Pete Dye-designed golf courses, which is the situation this week at TPC River Highlands. Since 2014, Day has gained 2.877 strokes total on courses designed by Dye, which is best on Tour among players with at least 30 rounds. He missed the cut last year at this event but does have an 18th-place showing in 2014.

Odds to win: 16-1
Top-5 odds: 33-10

Second tier (odds 25-1 or longer)

Bubba Watson

It's been proven time and again that Watson is brilliant on a small number of courses on Tour, and struggles mightily on others. The 39-year-old has won twice at Augusta National, three times at Riviera, and twice at this week's venue. When Watson likes the golf course, he's as dangerous as anybody in the field, and that makes him an excellent option at 28-1.

Odds to win: 28-1
Top-5 odds: 7-1

Long shot (odds 50-1 or longer)

Keegan Bradley

Bradley is another player that shines on Pete Dye courses, especially this Hartford-area venue. The veteran American posted an eighth-place showing at the event last year, and has made the cut all seven times he's played the Travelers Championship. It's been an up-and-down season for Bradley, but the last time he teed it up at a Dye course he finished seventh (The Players Championship). Expect another good showing this week.

Odds to win: 66-1
Top-5 odds: 12-1

Super long shot (odds 80-1 or longer)

Si Woo Kim

If Day is statistically the best player on Dye-designed courses, Kim is coming up right behind him, as the South Korean has turned in strong results in recent years. A win at TPC Sawgrass last year and a second-place showing at Harbour Town this year revealed his comfort level, and even though it's his first start at TPC River Highlands, that shouldn't be an issue for the smooth swinger. At 80-1, the value is too good to pass up.

Odds to win: 80-1
Top-5 odds: 25-1

Hit this bet, buy a car (odds 125-1 or longer)

Ollie Schniederjans

Schniederjans has had a solid but unspectacular 2018 season, making 14 of 18 cuts but not posting a top-30 finish since a third-place showing at the Phoenix Open in February. He crashed out of the U.S. Open last week with back-to-back 76s, but should feel more comfortable around TPC River Highlands. This pick is all about value, as a player with Schniederjans' talent is rarely listed at 150-1. Toss a few bucks at that number, and grab the 28-1 for a top-five finish as well.

Odds to win: 150-1
Top-5 odds: 28-1

Last event's results

Jon Rahm: MC
Henrik Stenson: T-6
Adam Scott: MC
Jimmy Walker: T-56
Brendan Steele: 63rd

Season record (23 events)

Wins: 5 (Paul Casey 25-1, Bubba Watson 50-1, Dustin Johnson 15-2, Jon Rahm 8-1, Billy Horschel/Scott Piercy 40-1)
Top 5: 11

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