The Charles Schwab Challenge brings the Texas Swing to a close at the legendary Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, a venue celebrating its 80th anniversary as the PGA Tour's longest-running host site for a non-major event. From Ben Hogan to Jack Nicklaus to Arnold Palmer, the tournament's history reads like a who's who of the game's greatest champions.
This year's field looks notably different without Texas natives Jordan Spieth and Scottie Scheffler, both absent due to the demands of the Signature Event schedule. Still, seven of the top 20 in the world rankings will tee it up, led by J.J. Spaun (No. 9), Russell Henley (No. 11), and Ludvig Åberg (No. 13), alongside Justin Thomas, Hideki Matsuyama, and defending champion Ben Griffin.
Colonial itself is a par 70 measuring 7,289 yards and remains one of the Tour's most demanding positional tests. Narrow fairways averaging just 29.5 yards wide, small bentgrass greens, unpredictable Bermuda rough, and swirling Texas winds make precision the only viable game plan. As Jhonattan Vegas put it, "This course is all about precision. There is nothing about power around this place."
Following its Gil Hanse restoration completed ahead of the 2024 tournament, Colonial has only further emphasized those traits – fewer bunkers, more rough, and the Trinity River now meaningfully in play on several holes. The "Horrible Horseshoe" at holes 3-5 remains the most punishing stretch, while the bentgrass greens continue to reward elite putters, with 18 of the last 20 winners ranking 17th or better in putting average during their winning season.
With an average winning score of 12-under over the last 15 years, Colonial remains one of those rare courses that simply cannot be overpowered, but only outsmarted.
Betting on three players this week.
Sungjae Im +4400
Sungjae Im represents perhaps the most well-rounded case of the three this week. His model numbers hold up across the board – strong total strokes gained over the last eight rounds, solid par 4 performance, and a history of playing Colonial well.
The Valspar comparison is an encouraging one, as that course demands the same kind of disciplined, positional ball-striking that Colonial rewards week after week. Im is exactly the type of methodical, accurate player that this course tends to bring out the best in, and at +4400 he offers legitimate value for a player who has shown he belongs in the conversation at this venue.
Max Greyserman +5300
The numbers Greyserman put up on approach last week are genuinely hard to ignore — gaining over 10 strokes is the kind of performance that turns heads, and Colonial is precisely the course where elite approach play translates most directly into scoring opportunities. Yes, the putting numbers have been a struggle recently, but Greyserman has the track record and the touch to know he can putt.
Bentgrass greens tend to be the great equalizer, and Colonial's comparatively straightforward putting surfaces could be exactly the reset he needs. Bet the approach play, trust the putter to come around, and the +5900 price makes him a compelling dart.
Stephan Jaeger +7400
Jaeger might be the most quietly dangerous player on this list. He has been playing some of the best golf of his season heading into Fort Worth, and his elite performance on fast greens is a skill set that maps almost perfectly onto what Colonial demands. Bentgrass at 12-to-13 on the stimpmeter rewards distance control and feel over power, and Jaeger brings both.
At +7400, he is the longest shot of the three, but the combination of recent form, elite putting on fast surfaces, and a model that clearly likes him here makes him the kind of high-upside play that can anchor a betting card. If the greens get firm and quick by Sunday, Jaeger is a real threat.
