Charles Schwab Challenge: Expert Picks

Tournament Information

Charles Schwab Challenge

Date: May 23^rd – 26^th

Course: Colonial Country Club

Purse - $7.1MM ($1.2MM to winner)

FedEx points – 500 to winner(s)

2018 Winner: Justin Rose (-20)

Course

Colonial Country Club -Opened in 1936 by John Bredemus and Perry Maxwell, this 7,209 yard par 70 course runs along the Trinity River. The course is long with some well-placed bunkers around the greens but by and large it is fairly flat with some generous fairways. Importance is placed on solid drive distances and good approaches to the green. Putting is one of the more crucial attributes here.

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

My Starting 4

Jon Rahm (3rd selection this year) — He has by FAR the best recent track record here. 2^nd in 2017 and 5^th in 2018, it’s fair to say that he is comfortable at Colonial Country Club. Coming off a missed cut (his first of the season) he will need some familiarity. He is currently 9^th in FedEx Ranking, 11^th in OWGR and 15^th in total strokes gained.

Danny Lee (1st selection this year) — Danny’s game always comes together nicely at Ft. Worth. He finished 6^th here in 2017 and 14^th here last year. He has had a mix of a few missed cuts and finishes in the 30’s (as well as a nice 7^th place finish at the Valero Texas Open). He’s 43^rd in driving distance and 48^th with strokes gained approaching the green.

Jordan Spieth (4th selection this year) — 2^nd here in 2017 and 32^nd last year, Jordan still has a respectable 30^th official world golf ranking and he has not made six consecutive cuts finishing in the top 30 in five of those six tournaments. He’s 11^th on the tour in strokes gained putting.

Emiliano Grillo (1st selection this year) — He is getting better each year here – 24^th in 2017 and 3^rdlast year. Emiliano is on a five straight tournaments making the cut and he is 11^th in strokes gained approaching the green as well as 19^th in green in regulation percentage.

My Bench 2

Bill Haas (1st selection this year) — I am amazed I haven’t picked Bill yet this season, he’s usually a good sleeper pick. He finished 12^th here in 2017 and 14^th here last year. He has a handful of average finishes in the 50’s leading into this event. He’s currently 7^th in strokes gained around the green.

Kevin Tway (2nd selection this year) — Kevin finished 18^th here in 2017 and 5^th here last year. He has made four consecutive cuts after missing seven consecutive cuts. He’s 22^nd in strokes gained putting.

2019 Stats

Starting 4: Avg finish 45th (35th percentile)

Bench 2: Avg finish 57th (45th percentile)