TPC at River Highlands is the next stop on what has been a fascinating return to action on the PGA Tour. Bunched leaderboards have given us what we deserve viewing wise after being starved of action for so long. Bubba Watson is the course specialist here having won 3 times and rates around the 33/1 mark to add to his tally. Playing some decent golf too so can't be ruled out. The wins from the likes of Spieth, Knox, Streelman, Duke and Jacobson suggest that sluggers don't hold the aces here. Winners and contenders here have excelled in approach play and putting to make their scores. Fairways are wide and as a result Greens are easier to hit. Scrambling takes a lot less of a role than it did last week. Overall we can't rule out any types of games here but those who found last week a little claustrophobic may prefer the task this week.

This week we have an interesting dual for tournament favourite with little separating McIlroy, Thomas and DeChambeau. Those tuning into my twitter last week will have noticed who I may think should be jolly at this weeks event. Last week I wasn't much interested in McIlroy or Thomas due to the nature of the beast Harbour Town (which turned out a lot simpler than usual) but they look very lively contenders this week. McIlroy has two top 20s here and should be suited to a return to a track like this. Poa Annua greens may not suit him ideally but I'd expect a much improved performance than the last couple of weeks. Thomas has a 3rd place here in 2016 but a modest record a number of other years. It is worth noting though that he finished 36th here last year losing 7.8 strokes to the field on the greens. That is an incredibly poor effort from one of the world's best ranking the worst in the field in 2019. He can be expected to improve upon that obviously and given his form last week is a clear and obvious danger.

The Bryson DeChambeau risk last week didn't quite work out but I'm prepared this week for a much bigger bet. There were risks attached last week as I mentioned. The cute track at Harbour Town doesn't exactly play into this new style of BDC's. The inevitable scrambling wasn't going to play into his hands either. It was a bet with risks attached, but I thought worth playing as I think he's the best golfer around at this current time. It still nearly paid off and had a few more putts dropped we could have been looking at a different story. He gained 1 stroke on the greens all week which is fair, but believe me he deserved so much better. The amount of good putts that burned the edge all week was hard to watch. This week he arrives at River Highlands with his previous 8 rounds here of 68-70-64-68-66-66-68-68. He should be in a better position now also to improve on those scores. Wider fairways and easier to hit greens will be an added advantage compared to last week. Scrambling importance here is below average for the tour, whilst last week it was above average. We don't see a big change in price from last week either despite this course being much more down his alley. It has been a fair while since I've been as bullish about a golfer's prospects and it'll be one of the bigger bets I've ever placed. Of course, it could go the way of the pear but I've been in this game long enough to trust my conviction and play this how I see fit. If it doesn't go our way, we move on. 

5pts each-way B. DeChambeau 14/1 (1/5 8 places)

Bryson DeChambeau - 5pts e/w @ 14/1

Patrick Rodgers is worth a speculative play around the 125/1 mark. He ranks first in the field for Strokes Gained on Poa Annua surfaces. He has recorded 10 events on the trot with positive strokes gained putting which is remarkably consistent. Putting plays its part here although granted it is very difficult to weigh up who will have a good week with the flat stick. Nevertheless, Rodgers looks nailed on to putt well and a return to a more open track should suit also. He hasn't been disgraced lately either. Previous to his missed cut last week he finished 14th at Colonial and other top 30 finishes this season include the Arnold Palmer, Honda, Genesis, Phoenix and the Farmers. He has made the weekend here on his last five trips including a 3rd placed finish back in 2016. 

1pt each-way P. Rodgers 125/1 (1/5 8 places)

Patrick Rodgers - 1pt e/w @ 125/1

Finally I'll have a stab at Max Homa. The Californian has enjoyed a successful season and an event that has thrown up a fair few first time winners might just be the tonic. He finished an impressive 9th at Torrey Pines earlier in the season with Poa Annua being by far his favourite surface. Other top 6 finishes this season include the Phoenix and the Genesis. 41st last week was a respectable effort for someone who struggled around and on the greens. Greens are easier to hit here and his short game will come under less pressure. He gained shots in all other departments last week and can be expected to go better at River Highlands.

1pt each-way M. Homa  125/1 (1/5 9 places)

Max Homa - 1pt e/w @ 125/1