Bubba Watson heads to Connecticut this week to try to defend his title at the Travelers Championship.
Despite being one of four Americans set to represent the United States in the Olympics, Watson will skip the opening ceremonies to participate in this week's PGA Tour event.
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The Travelers Championship, which overlooks the Connecticut River, is played on beautiful TPC River Highlands. The Highlands is one of the shortest courses on tour at 6,841 yards, but the par 70 still presents problems for players with its tough driving angles.
Watson defeated Englishman Paul Casey in a dramatic playoff last year. Both players are in the field this year. Casey is looking to build off a top 10 finish at the PGA Championship.
What drama will unfold this time around?
Here are this week's top players:
Bubba Watson (world ranking: 6) — Watson loves this tournament so much, he decided to play even though it meant missing the start of the Olympics. The powerful lefty has not finished in the top 10 since the WGC-Cadillac Championship in March. He finished T-14 at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in July, but he'll have to be more consistent if he wants to win in Connecticut. Fantasy advice: Watson is in poor form, but he is a horse for the course. Play with confidence.
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Branden Grace (10) — Grace surged up the leaderboard Sunday at Baltusrol, applying pressure on the leaders. He was unable to post a low enough number to threaten eventual winner Jimmy Walker, but remains a threat to win again soon. Grace has five top 10s in his last eight starts worldwide. Fantasy advice: Though not a sure thing, Grace is playing great and could help by posting a large amount of birdies.
Patrick Reed (14) — Reed looked poised to contend in his second major last week until he faded during the weekend. With all the first-time major winners this year, Reed is one of the best not to win one. He has finished in the top 13 in his last three starts. Reed, like Watson, will be in Rio next week for the Olympics. Fantasy advice: There's a risk he will be looking ahead to Rio, but he has been steady lately. Play if the price is right.
Paul Casey (29) — Fresh off a T-10 at the PGA, Casey returns to avenge his playoff loss last year. Casey has not been as consistent this year as he was last season, but he is comfortable on the course and he does have two top 16 finishes in his last three starts. Fantasy advice: Check his price, but Casey could be a good sleeper alternate to Watson.
Brooks Koepka (17) — There didn't appear to be many ill effects last week for Koepka despite playing with torn ligaments in his right ankle. Koepka is desperate to make the Ryder Cup team. His T-4 last week helps, but he wants to win this week to cement his place in the top eight. Fantasy advice: If he's playing a week after the PGA, his ankle probably isn't hurting him too badly. He is still a risky pick.
Others to watch:
Zach Johnson, J.B. Holmes, Tyrrell Hatton, Matt Kuchar, Daniel Summerhays, Webb Simpson and Louis Oosthuizen
Sleepers:
Soren Kjeldsen, Ryan Moore, Francesco Molinari, Jon Curran and Jon Rahm