One glance at last week’s PGA Championship leaderboard and you’d be forgiven for thinking that it was yet another procession for World No.1 Scottie Scheffler (much like his recent wire-to-wire CJ Cup victory).
2025 US PGA Tour
Charles Schwab Challenge
Colonial Country Club, Fort Worth, Texas
22nd-25th May
In truth, that was possibly the most angst-ridden five-stroke Major win that you are likely to witness. The affable Scheffler went into the final round with a three-stroke lead and many anticipated that he would run away with the title. Scheffler would stretch his lead to five strokes before two-time Major champ Jon Rahm suddenly came out of hibernation, birdieing three out of four holes around the turn to tie the lead. Rahm then missed a few gilt-edged opportunities before falling foul of the dreaded ‘Green Mile’ (he played the final three holes in five-over-par). Scheffler consolidated down the stretch, winning his 3rd Major title in resolute fashion. It was the ideal retribution following last year’s arrest at Valhalla. Scheffler has surprisingly opted to compete this week. Though he was born in New Jersey, his family moved to Texas when he was just six years old, making this something of a homecoming for the three-time Major champion.
The tour moves to the Lone Star State for the latest edition of the Charles Schwab Classic (though this event has gone through as many name changes as P. Diddy). It was previously known as the Fort Worth Invitational, the Dean & Deluca and the Crowne Plaza (among other monikers). This event dates all the way back to 1946 and is essentially a monument to the legacy of Fort Worth legend Ben Hogan. Ben Hogan won the first two editions of this event and would go on to win a further three titles. The tournament draws some sartorial inspiration from Augusta National, with the winner claiming a snazzy tartan jacket. One thing has remained constant in the history of this event: Colonial Country Club. Lovingly known as Hogan’s Alley, Colonial has hosted every edition of this famous event. In fact, this is the longest running non-Major event to be held at the same venue.
Designed by John Bredemus and opened in 1936, Colonial underwent a significant renovation two years ago, with Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner overseeing a 20-million-dollar facelift. The pair attempted to return the course to its original design, using old photographs of the 1941 US Open (which was obviously hosted at the Colonial). It never had a huge impact on how the course played last year (though players were very complimentary of the changes). Colonial is a classical test of golf that doesn’t favour the bombers, instead rewarding consistent, precision-based golf. The fairways are peppered with strategically placed bunkers and water is present throughout the course. The most crucial indexes for success this week will likely be GIR and putting. These smaller-than-average Bentgrass greens require accurate approach play (14 of the last 17 winners have ranked inside the top ten for GIR). Putting has also proven to be pivotal over the years. This is an intricate, idiosyncratic course that tends to reward familiarity. Also, Texas is known for blustery conditions and it might behoove you to look for solid wind players.
Scheffler is obviously the main attraction this week. The World No.1 is a tee-to-green phenomenon who is starting to give off faint Tiger vibes (as heretical as that sounds). Rory has all the talent and Bryson has all the firepower. But nobody plays as consistently from tee-to-green as the Texan. Fellow Texan Jordan Speith will no doubt get his fair share of support this week. Spieth is the all-time money leader in this event, winning the title in 2016 and posting eight top 10 finishes. Spieth missed the cut by a stroke at Quail Hollow and should be well rested ahead of this test. Hideki Matsuyama needs to get something going. The Japanese star won the season-opening Sentry but hasn’t been able to pick up another top ten since. 2020 champ Daniel Berger arrives in excellent form while Tommy Fleetwood has now made 13 consecutive US PGA Tour cuts.
Past Winners
2024: Davis Riley (-14)
2023: Emiliano Grillo (-9) *playoff
2022: Sam Burns (-9) *playoff
2021: Jason Kokrak (-14)
2020: Daniel Berger (-15) *playoff
2019: Kevin Na (-13)
Betting Favourites (To Win): Scottie Scheffler (5/2), Tommy Fleetwood (20/1), Jordan Spieth (22/1), Daniel Berger (22/1), Hideki Matsuyama (25/1)
Value Bet
Harris English- To Win (35/1)
Harris English looks like excellent value after his fast-finishing T2 finish at Quail Hollow (his career-best finish in a Major). English won the Farmers earlier this year and has been trending of late, finishing T12 at the Masters and 11th at the Truist. He was exceptional last week, ranking 2nd in the field for SG: Tee-to-Green. English currently sits 7th in Ryder Cup qualification (one spot outside automatic qualification). English also has course credentials, finishing runner-up to Spieth here in 2016 (he was also the 36-hole leader in 2023).
The Man to Beat- Daniel Berger- To Win (22/1)
I just can’t bring myself to play Scheffler at 5/2 (he may still be in celebration mode following that victory at Quail). Daniel Berger is searching for his first win since the 2021 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. However, he has been looking in fine shape of late, finishing inside the top 25 in nine of his last 11 starts. He has two podium finishes this year (T2 in Phoenix and T3 at the RBC Heritage). He won this title back in 2020 and is fresh off a closing 68 at Quail Hollow. Berger currently ranks 4th for SG: Tee-to-Green and 10th for Driving Accuracy (which should stand him in good stead this week).
