2024 Charles Schwab Challenge: Odds, expert picks, venue and more

The Charles Schwab Challenge is set to return to the Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, next weekend. This tournament, steeped in history and tradition, has been a fixture on the PGA Tour since 1946, making it one of the longest-running events on the tour.

Designed by John Bredemus and opened in 1936, Colonial Country Club staged the US Open as soon as 1941, after Perry Maxwell had altered holes three, four and five. This wonderful classic course has hosted this event since its inception and on the PGA Tour, only the Masters has been staged at the same venue for longer, but it will look significantly different this time around.

As soon as last year’s event finished, renowned course designers, Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner, moved in to undertake a $20 million renovation. The pristine fairways and manicured greens of the Colonial Country Club are in perfect condition, ready to test the skills of the world’s best golfers.

Last year’s Charles Schwab Challenge champion, Emiliano Grillo, will be returning to defend his title. Grillo, known for his precision and consistency, navigated the challenging course with aplomb last year, and will be looking to replicate his success.

Charles Schwab Challenge: Weather and Course Condition

The Colonial Country Club, a par-70 course with an average stroke of 70.73, stretches over 7,209 yards. It is known for its tight fairways and small bentgrass greens, demanding accuracy and strategic play from the golfers. The course’s layout, combined with the Texas heat, makes it a true test of endurance and skill. 

As we approach the Charles Schwab Challenge, the weather forecast suggests ideal golfing conditions. The course is expected to be bathed in sunshine, with a gentle breeze providing a slight challenge to the players.

The Field

Emiliano Grillo won this event in a thrilling playoff last year over Adam Schenk. These two players finished at 8-under par, one stroke ahead of Scottie Scheffler, who made a hole-in-one during the final round.

Fresh off his arrest at the PGA Championship, Scheffler will play at Colonial in Fort Worth again, arriving as the odds-on favorite to win. Other notables include Jordan Spieth, Max Homa, Adam Scott, Collin Morikawa and Tony Finau.

The total purse for the Charles Schwab Challenge stands at a whopping $9,1 million, with the winner set to take home a cool $1,63 million. This significant prize fund is sure to bring out the competitive spirit in the participating golfers.

Charles Schwab Challenge Picks

Expert Picks:

Scottie Schefler (3-1): Scottie Scheffler is in the midst of an off-course situation that could affect his performance. However, on the same day of his arrest he had a score of 66 and finished T12 at the PGA Championship, despite one of the most bizarre weeks of his professional golf career. This has led him to remain a favorite for any tournament he enters.

Cameron Young (18-1): The rising American star has shown flashes of brilliance, and the Charles Schwab Challenge could be the perfect stage for him to claim his first PGA Tour title. With his consistent ball-striking, strategic course management, and flashes of brilliance, Young has showcased his potential to compete at the highest level, and many eyes are on him as he continues to make his mark on the tour.

Sleeper Picks:

Akshay Bhatia(69-1): Bhatia finished 56th on debut last year but he was inside the top-20 at halfway and he shot 66 in round one on his only visit to Deere Run to sit inside the top-ten. He’s ranked eighth and first for SG: Tee-to-green on the last two occasions he’s played in Texas and he’s ranked fifth for SG: Putting two weeks ago at the Wells Fargo so looks a good fit statistically if it all comes together again.

Taylor Moore(80-1): Last year’s Valspar Championship winner, Taylor Moore, looks a very fair price back in his native state of Texas. He finished alongside Scheffler in a tied for second at the Houston Open on his last appearance in Texas in March and he’s ticked along very nicely since. Moore has missed the cut here on his only two previous visits and that’s clearly a negative, but his game should be suited to the track. 

As we gear up for the Charles Schwab Challenge, it promises to be an exciting event filled with high-quality golf. Whether you’re a seasoned golf fan or a casual viewer, this tournament is sure to provide plenty of thrills and spills. So, mark your calendars and get ready for some top-tier golf action!