First Round Leader Odds at 2021 Travelers Championship

• The Travelers Championship from TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, CT tees off Thursday, June 24th
• Bryson DeChambeau is the +2500 favorite over four golfers to lead after the first round
• See the best bets and odds to grab the first-round lead in the article below 

One week after Jon Rahm’s spellbinding victory at the US Open, the PGA Tour heads to Cromwell, CT for the Travelers Championship. This tournament is annually considered to be one of the more fun events on the circuit by the players, and the finishing holes provide plenty of drama.

Bryson DeChambeau enters the week as the odds-on favorite to capture his third title of the campaign over defending champion Dustin Johnson. They’re joined by three other golfers in the top-10 of the world rankings, including Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed and Patrick Cantlay.

In this article, we’ll explore which players have the best chance of being the leader after day one, along with what players are playing well on Thursday’s this season.

2021 Travelers Championship First Round Leader Odds

Odds as of June 22nd

The forecast is expected to be mainly sunny throughout the entire day. The temperature for the beginning of the morning wave of players will be low 60 degrees, reaching low 80’s in the afternoon.

The morning golfers will face little to no wind, with it only gusting to five miles per hour until noon. The afternoon golfers will face a stiffer breeze, as it’ll reach between 13-15 miles per hour.

Another benefit for those teeing it up in the morning is the exact same as it is every week – less bumpy greens with fewer players chewing them up.

Brian Harman a Fast Starter

In five of his last seven stroke play events, Brian Harman has opened up with a round in the 60’s. That has been part of a strong stretch where he’s posted top-20 finishes in seven of his last eight starts, including three top-10’s.

On the campaign, he’s been really solid, ranking fifth in first round scoring.

2020-21 PGA Tour First Round Scoring Average Leaders

Harman has also had success at this track in the past with a third in 2015, T-6 in 2018 and T-8 in 2019.

In the last 24 rounds at TPC River Highlands, he ranks fourth in total strokes gained, ninth tee-to-green and 14th in putting. Plus, in the last 24 rounds on the year, the diminutive seventh in total strokes gained and eleventh in putting.

• Pick: Brian Harman (+4000)

Russell Henley a Boom-Bust Candidate

Before he co-led the US Open last weekend through 54 holes, Russell Henley was on a cold stretch in his four previous tournaments.

Calling him a quintessential boom or bust candidate for the first round leader would be apropos. Are you getting the golfer that gained nearly seven shots on the field at Torrey Pines tee-to-green and approach, or the player who was bad the four previous events?

He’s played pretty well at this track recently, posting a T-6 in 2018 and a T-11 in 2016.

Henley’s Strokes Gained Stats in Last 12 Rounds at TPC River Highlands

He’s first in ball striking and approach during that span, but the glaring stat is that wonky 125 in SG: putting. However, at the US Open, Henley gained 2.2 strokes on the dance floor.

He’s 31st in scoring on Thursday’s, allowing him to accumulate four top-10’s on the campaign. He could pop, or he could struggle, but considering he contended deep into the US Open, he’s intriguing at this price.

• Pick: Russell Henley (+6600)

Two-Time Champ Cink With Resurgence

Stewart Cink has put together a remarkable season at age 48, winning twice, first at the Safeway Open and then the RBC Heritage.

He entered that week at Harbour Town having won that tournament twice, then made it a trifecta. He’s also won a pair of times at this golf course in his career, looking to also win this championship a third time.

He’s made seven straight cuts, and finds himself performing well in several strokes gained categories.

Cink’s Strokes Gained Stats In Last 24 Rounds

In 2018, Cink very nearly won this tournament for the third time, as he ended up T-2 behind eventual champion Bubba Watson. He’s seventh in greens in regulation on the season, which should give him plenty of birdie opportunities, plus he’ll be playing in the more favorable conditions in the morning.

• Pick: Stewart Cink (+8000)