Charles Schwab Challenge: PGA Tour betting preview, lowdown & TV details

TV: Sky Sports Golf, 1.30pm Thursday

The Charles Schwab Challenge is a new name on the PGA Tour schedule, but the Colonial Country Club is one of the most traditional venues.

Power is not a major asset on a par-70 course that has seen tournament play since 1946 and with a lack of space for potential expansion, it is one where accurate driving and good greens-in-regulation statistics can help players gain rewards.

If competitors can plot their way round and enjoy a good week with the putter the prize is up for grabs and that should be good news for a Texan who looks to have turned his season around after gaining third place at last week's US PGA Championship.

Wilkerson's top tip
Jordan Spieth 14-1

It has been a tough 12 months for three-time Major champion Jordan Spieth as he slipped to 39th in the world rankings, but his spirits will have been hugely lifted by his third place at Bethpage Black.

That was Spieth's first top-20 finish since July's Open Championship and, just as it did when he was the best player in the world a few years ago, his putter was red-hot - he gained almost 11 shots on the greens over the four days on the field.

His confidence must have been boosted, and now he is playing in his home state on a course where he has flourished.

He claimed a four-shot victory over Ryan Palmer at Colonial in 2016, having finished second in 2015 and 2017 when he fell short by one shot and two shots.

The 32nd place he carded last year was his worst performance there in six attempts and he was full of joy last week, stating that the hard work he had put in on the practice ground in the last five months was finally beginning to bear fruit.

Spieth had been concerned that he would be unable to challenge the big hitters at Bethpage Black, but the fact that he finished third means he should feature this week on a track that is much more up his street.

Next best
Scott Piercy 50-1

Scott Piercy has charged up the world rankings to 66th having been 152nd at the turn of the year, and his climb may not be finished yet.

He finished tied for 41st at Bethpage Black as, like most of the field, he struggle in the final round, but he hit a 67 on the Friday and that performance followed a third place at The Heritage and second at the Byron Nelson Championship.

Piercy missed the cut at Colonial last year but he was seventh the year before so he has some course form.

Ranked 17th in driving accuracy and eighth in the greens-in-regulation statistics, he could be in for a big week.

Other selections
Brandt Snedeker 66-1
Graeme McDowell 80-1
Danny Lee 100-1

It could get windy at Colonial this week and one player who could rise to that challenge is Brandt Snedeker.

While plenty of players toiled in the Sunday gusts in New York, the man from Nashville was in his element as one of only 11 players to break 70 in the fourth round.

He finished 16th and has shown consistent form in the last 12 months, missing just two cuts in 22 events, one of which came at The Masters.

Snedeker can make a bold bid on a course where he finished second in 2015.

Graeme McDowell finished 29th in his only visit to Colonial in 2017 but he should be pleased with a similar finish last week.

The Northern Irishman could also benefit from the conditions and his recent form is not sketchy either with a victory in the Corales Championship, admittedly against a weak field, and a seventh spot on his last visit to the Lone-Star State in last month's Texas Open.

Danny Lee hit an opening 64 last week before fading to finish 36th after a closing 77.

However, he was seventh at the Texas Open and doesn't deserve to be a three-figure price at a course where he last five finishes have been 38-10-22-6-14.

Others to note
Jon Rahm
The Spaniard has finished fifth and second in his two efforts at Colonial and will be fancied despite the disappointment of missing the cut last week.

Kevin Kisner
Another to have failed to make the weekend at Bethpage Black, the 2017 champion has two other top-ten finishes in this tournament.

Justin Rose
Rose is a predictable favourite after the comprehensive nature of last year's victory, but he will have been disappointed by his tame finish to the PGA.

Abraham Ancer
The accurate Mexican produced a strong performance at Bethpage Black to finish 16th and should improve on last year's finish of 52nd on his course debut.

Francesco Molinari
Colonial should be an ideal test for the reigning Open champion but this will be his first visit to the Fort Worth track.

Staking plan
J Spieth
2pts each-way 14-1 Betfair
S Piercy
1.5pts each-way 50-1 BoyleSports
B Snedeker
1pt each-way 66-1 Ladbrokes
G McDowell
1pt each-way 80-1 Sky Bet
D Lee
1pt each-way 100-1 Betway

Colonial lowdown

Course Colonial Country Club, Fort Worth, Texas
Prize money $7.3m ($1.314m to winner)
Length 7,209 yards
Par 70
Field 122
Course records- 72 holes 259 Zach Johnson (2010) 18 holes 61 Keith Clearwater (1993), Lee Janzen (1993), Greg Kraft (1999), Justin Leonard (2003), Kenny Perry (2003), Chad Campbell (2004), Kevin Na (2018)

Course winners taking part Keith Clearwater, Tom Purtzer, Tim Herron, Kenny Perry (twice), Rory Sabbatini, Zach Johnson (twice), David Toms, Boo Weekley, Jordan Spieth, Kevin Kisner, Justin Rose

When to bet By 1pm on Thursday

When to watch Live on Sky Sports Golf from 1.30pm on Thursday

Time difference Texas is six hours behind the UK and Ireland

Last week - US PGA Championship 1 B Koepka 11-1, 2 D Johnson 11-1, T3 M Wallace 125-1, J Spieth 45-1, P Cantlay 45-1

Course overview The PGA Tour has held an event annually at Colonial since 1946 and the ancient track offers up plenty of birdie opportunities to modern professionals.

Ben Hogan won at Colonial five times, hence the track’s nickname of Hogan’s Alley, but more recently Corey Pavin, Phil Mickelson and Kenny Perry have claimed dual Colonial crowns.

There are only two par-five holes – the first and the 11th – but the 11th is a genuine three-shot hole at 635 yards. The first two holes on the course are the easiest, immediately followed by the three most difficult. The third, fourth and fifth are known as the Horrible
Horseshoe.

The layout has been lengthened through the years but it remains more of a test of accuracy than power. The fairways are Bermuda grass, but the greens are smooth Bentgrass.

The story of last year Justin Rose shot a six-under-par 64 on Sunday to ensure a three-shot victory over Brooks Koepka for his second win of the season. Emiliano Grillo was a further shot back in third.

Weather forecast Thunderstorms were anticipated on Tuesday and humid conditions are expected through the tournament with temperatures around 26C. There is about a 20 per cent chance of rain with winds expected to be at their strongest - about 20mph - during the first two days of play.

Type of player suited to the challenge An accurate sort with a behaving putter can destroy Colonial – it is a course that can be overwhelmed with straight-hitting rather than power-play. Newcomers are obviously at a significant disadvantage at such a long-established venue.

Key attribute Accuracy

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