PGA Tour flies east to the Travelers Championship

From Monterey to Cromwell, Connecticut, this week's Travelers Championship will host a similarly strong—and maybe somewhat jet lagged—field on the heels of the U.S. Open. Missing from the field, however, is U.S. Open winner Gary "it's got to be the shoes" Woodland. He and his stars-and-stripes spikes will be resting this week.

So, if not Woodland, then who will fly high this week?

You can't make mention of TPC River Highlands without including Bubba Watson (+3100). Why? Outside of Billy Casper no one has won more times at the Travelers (formerly the Greater Hartford Open and Insurance City Open) than Watson. Bubba has won the tournament three times and is the reigning champion. The "Boom Guy" will make the East Coast adjustment and be in the mix Sunday.

And then there's Brooks Koepka (+700), who made a latissimus-busting push toward the top spot last weekend in search of his third consecutive U.S. Open victory, but fell a few reps shy. No days off for bodacious Brooks, as he should shake off the beach hangover to tee it up in Connecticut.

The captain has turned off the fasten seat belt sign

This time of year the middle-seat passengers start to stretch their legs and contend. Marc Leishman (+2800) won his first PGA Tour event here in 2012, when he posted a 14-under 266. The auspicious Aussie had a top-five finish at the Memorial this year and a solid U.S. Open outing. A five-hour flight and time change are nothing for Leishman, who hails from Warrnambool (say that ten times fast), Australia. Look for Marc to un-Leish (I couldn't resist) on the River Highlands.

Paul Casey (+1950) is another mid-cabin contender who must enjoy the quick turnaround, because this will be his fifth appearance at the Travelers. Twice a runner-up (2018, 2015) the Englishman has finished in the top 20 in all four of his prior appearances. Plus he can throw a golf ball 130 yards (it's worth a Google).

Who is worth the "call button" stretch?

Not who, but what. Three out of the last six Travelers Championships have been settled in a playoff, so it's quite possible this year's tournament will go beyond 72 holes. I'll take those odds and throw a bag of peanuts on the prop bet.

When the tray tables go up, my Travelers wings will be pinned on Jason Day (+1700). Day finished off the U.S. Open with a steady 2-under round (T-21) and showed signs of his 2016 form (when he was the world's No. 1). The man from down under will fly high in Cromwell.