Historic PGA stop with tight fairways, elite fields and strong live-betting volatility at Colonial Country Club this weekend
When it comes to non-major professional golf tournaments, in terms of prestige, it doesn’t get bigger than the Charles Schwab Challenge, which tees off tomorrow at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas.
It’s been held every year at the same place since 1946, making it the longest-running PGA Tour event at a single venue.
What makes it a big deal is its invitational status – only five tournaments on the Tour get this honor, which means a smaller, more selective field of 132 players.
First prize purse is for the tournament $1.782 million. Everyone goes off in threesomes on the first and 10th tees, with the first group out tomorrow at 8 a.m. EST.
While obviously it doesn’t match the Masters Tournament at Augusta National or The Open Championship at St. Andrews, and other venues, for prestige, it’s in the ballpark.
The tournament is closely tied to Ben Hogan, a Fort Worth legend who won the inaugural event and took it five times total.
BEST BETS
Colonial rewards precision, strategy, and shot making, especially iron play.
The golf course is marked by narrow fairways, doglegs, tree-lined holes, and strategic bunkering.
“Horrible Horseshoe” is the famous stretch from holes 3-5, one of the toughest you’ll find everywhere on tour.
Because of that, focus your wagering on players adept with their irons. It’s a shorter, strategic course that challenges the world’s best players.
Rickie Fowler +2200
Fowler’s recent form has quietly been excellent, with multiple high finishes in stronger fields, and Colonial is a perfect fit for his controlled ball-striking and putting-heavy style.
He’s also accurate off the tee, which matters enormously at Colonial. He thrives on golf courses that demand course management and creativity. Fowler is one of those guys who has flown under the radar his career, a player in which more was expected.
Fowler also knows how to play this course – it’s his 13th appearance at Colonial – so expect him to be in the thick of it all weekend.
Justin Thomas (+1800)
Thomas is a popular bet – generating the most tickets and handle.
Fowler had a T4 at the PGA Championship (final-round 65), 13th at Truist, and T23 at the Cadillac Championship. He’s trending upwards.
This follows some early-season inconsistency after injury issues. However, the ball-striking (especially irons and wedges) for Thomas, and the short game, are sharpening up.
Lately, his driver has stabilized, reducing volatility there, so that’s going to be another factor if you’re looking at Thomas. Keep an eye on that. Colonial has firm, small greens, punishing poor approaches.
A great win bet at longer odds.
Ludvig Åberg (+800)
Åberg has the shortest odds for a reason, entering with six top 10s in his last seven starts (including T4 at the PGA Championship), leads the field in recent tee-to-green play and adjusted scoring, and has been a consistent contender.
He’s a level above the rest statistically and a strong fit for this accuracy test.
