The 2012 PGA Tour heads to Cromwell Connecticut for this week’s Travelers Championship, with US Open winner Webb Simpson taking part.
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Last week’s major was a test of both the physical and mental ability of the top stars, with many unable to come to terms with the Olympic Club course.
But a glance at the previous winners of this event shows why the players are so keen to get back to business, with winning scores of 20-under-par not uncommon.
Nobody finished under par in San Francisco but Simpson did enough to get over the line on Sunday and all eyes will be on the 26-year-old when he tees it up on Thursday (Simpson 16/1 – Tournament Outright).
History suggests players very rarely win two consecutive events and, with everything else going on in his mind after last week’s heroics, it may well be prudent to look elsewhere for a winner this week.
He is now up to fifth in the world rankings, with Bubba Watson (20/1) just one place behind, and the Masters champion will play only his fourth event since winning at Augusta.
The left-hander has failed to make the cut in his last two outings and has made it clear that his mind is not fully focused on the job.
He did win this event in 2010 and clearly enjoys playing the course but he made only a token effort at defending his Zurich Classic of New Orleans crown after the Masters and it remains to be seen whether his mind will be on the job in hand this week.
Matt Kuchar and Hunter Mahan are joint favourites for the tournament and the latter is a previous winner, having landed the spoils at TPC River Highlands in 2007 after a play-off with Jay Williamson.
The 30-year-old has already won twice this year and, although his form has slipped slightly of late, he will be looking to post a decent number this week after struggling to 10-over-par in California.
He looks to have taken the next step in his career and is now a real force and it would be no surprise to see him challenge for the title on Sunday.
Kuchar, like Hunter, was well over par last week, finishing in a tie for 27th, but the world number seven has been in decent form in the past few months.
Victory at the Players Championship was the icing on the cake after four top 10s and, in a Ryder Cup year, he will be keen to keep recording high finishes to make sure of his place in Davis Love’s team.
European stars are few and far between this week but one man who will be eager to get back into the thick of things is Padraig Harrington.
The Irishman has missed a number of cuts this year but managed a top 10 at the Masters and last week’s share of fourth place proved that he is still in decent nick (Harrington 2/1 – Top-10 Finish).
The 40-year-old confessed after his final round that he enjoys the majors much more than the run-of-the-mill events but, with the Open Championship not too far away, the Ryder Cup star will be looking to put in a solid shift in Hartford.
Fredrik Jacobson finished inside the top 20 last week and is the defending champion at the Travelers Championship, taking the title on -20 last year.
The 37-year-old Swede has yet to post a top 10 this year but has been much more competitive of late and he will not want to give up his crown without a fight.
Both Ian Poulter (33/1) and Louis Oosthuizen are in this week’s field and while the Englishman’s form has definitely picked up in recent weeks, the South African has failed to make the weekend in four of his last five events and will need a big turnaround in fortunes to challenge.
The world’s top four may not be putting in an appearance but this is a quality line-up with any number of talented and in-form Americans ready to strike.
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