Crush & Fade: Travelers Championship

Welcome to Crush & Fade. This weekly series delivers a look ahead at the current PGA Tour event along with a quick rewind on last week’s tournament.

US Open Recap

What. A. Golf. Tournament.

Not a single person picked JJ Spaun across any Sandman Sports pool this week at the US Open. Oakmont gave us the brutal and brilliant golf test we were all hoping for. Lightning, wind, wet greens, and nerves. Every player was put through it. And somehow, one man came out on top.

Let’s give JJ Spaun his flowers.

At 34 years old, the Los Angeles native just won his second career PGA Tour event and his first major championship. This guy was a college walk-on at San Diego State. He lost his tour card twice. Thought about quitting. Dealt with injuries and self-doubt. Still, he kept grinding. Already had two runner-up finishes this season.

Then came Father’s Day. At three in the morning, Spaun made a CVS run for his sick daughter. Got her medicine. Got her comforted. Dad first. Champion second.

He shot a 40 on the front nine Sunday. Four shots back. Most would fold. JJ responded with a 32 on the back nine, including a monster 40-foot birdie on 12. On 17, he nearly drove the green on the 314-yard par four and tapped in a birdie to take the lead.

On 18, he smoked his drive down the middle. Hit his approach to 64 feet. He only needed two putts to win.

He only needed one.

Sixty-four feet. One stroke. One moment. Bottom of the cup. JJ Spaun wins the US Open.

A brilliant story. A legendary finish. And the kind of emotional, human, relentless performance that reminds you why this sport is so special.

Thank you to JJ Spaun and Oakmont for an unforgettable week of golf.

Travelers Championship Preview

Now we head to TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut for a Signature Event.

It is a bit odd to have a Signature Event right after the US Open. These guys just survived the gauntlet at Oakmont and now have to regroup. Still, staying on the East Coast helps reduce the toll. And they get a bit of a reset before the Scottish Open and The Open Championship at Royal Portrush next month.

This course plays to a different skill set.

Par 70
Only 6,844 yards
Precision matters more than power
Shot shaping, approach play, and putting will separate the field

Defending champion: Scottie Scheffler, who beat Tom Kim in a playoff here last year.

One personal note. I am not a big fan of no-cut events. They take some of the drama out of Friday golf and change the betting strategy. I prefer seeing guys grind for the weekend.

Sandman Top Bets

Quick reminder:
CRUSH means I am backing these guys.
FADE means I am steering clear.

CRUSH PLAYS

Sepp Straka WIN at +3300
He missed the cut at Oakmont which I think helps him this week. He is rested and ready. His game fits this course and he could make a serious run.
Xander Schauffele Top 5 at +350
Xander won here in 2022. His ball striking is sharp and his game continues to trend in the right direction. Should be in the mix Sunday.
Ben Griffin Top 10 at +400
He just keeps delivering. In his last four events he has finished T8, Win, 2nd, and T10. That is not a fluke. He is feeling it right now.
Robert MacIntyre Top 20 at +150
Loved his play at Oakmont and he finished T16 here last year in his debut. Expect him to continue the strong form and climb even higher.

FADE PLAY

Sam Burns (across all markets)
I really like Burns as a player but this feels like a tough bounce back week. He was emotionally and physically drained after Oakmont with a frustrating finish that included a few questionable rulings. I expect a letdown.
- FADE: WIN at +3300
- FADE: Top 10 at +320
- FADE: Top 20 at +150

Good luck this week and enjoy The Travelers.

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