FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MAY 25: Ben Griffin of the United States lines up a putt on the fifth green during the final round of the Charles Schwab Challenge 2025 at Colonial Country Club on May 25, 2025 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
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The PGA Tour continues through the 2026 season, and some of the game’s best players are preparing for the upcoming Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club. This is coming off the heels of Wyndham Clark’s dominant performance at TPC Craig Ranch at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
When you’re talking about Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, it is a Par 70 measuring at 7,289 yards in length. Another Texas course, and another venue which is considered shorter compared to other tour stops on the schedule.
The vast majority of the big name players are taking this tournament off, but it’s still important to take a look at the past winners of this event:
The Charles Schwab Challenge Past Winners
- 2025 – Ben Griffin
- 2024 – Davis Riley
- 2023 – Emiliano Grillo
- 2022 – Sam Burns
Keeping in mind players who have done well in this tournament, let’s take a look at the top five players, based on odds.
2026 Charles Schwab Challenge Odds
- Ludvig Aberg (+1000)
- Russell Henley (+2000)
- Robert McIntyre (+2050)
- Rickie Fowler (+2400)
- Justin Thomas (+2500)
When it comes to picks for this event, I like to start with my favorite and long shot picks for the tournament. The favorite pick is the pick I like the most for an outright winner. For the long shot winner, that is a golfer who has over +2000 odds to win. It is a long shot pick for a reason, and finding those can be like finding a needle in a haystack.
Here are my favorite and long shot picks for the 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge:
Favorite: Ludvig Aberg (+1000)
Long Shot: Hideki Matsuyama (+3100)
If you’ve been following golf, you’ve seen plenty of Ludvig Aberg throughout his career. Aberg has won on tour, and had moments, both good and bad, throughout the last few seasons. However, the one thing which can be said about Aberg is his ability to bounce back.
After he faltered on Sunday at the Players Championship this season, he bounced back and has had six Top 10 finishes this year. Aberg’s game is rounding into form, and I think he has a very good chance at winning this event with a rather watered down field.
As for Matsuyama, he is typically good for one win a season, and it often comes when you just don’t expect it. With this field, on this course, I could see it happening. It’s a long shot, but it’s a play I’m willing to make.
Now let’s take a look at the Top 5, Top 10, Top 20, and Bonus plays for the 2026 Charles Schwab.
Top 5 Bets For the Charles Schwab Challenge 2026
- Justin Thomas (+500)
- Ludvig Aberg (+225)
Thomas hasn’t played since the PGA Championship when he had a terrific Sunday to put himself as the clubhouse leader before Aaron Rai ran away with the tournament. Either way you slice it, Thomas has been improving every event since he returned to tour from surgery earlier this season. The +500 odds are too good for me to pass up.
As for Aberg, I am putting him in the Scottie Scheffler role this week where I feel if he doesn’t win he’ll absolutely be near the top of the leaderboard. Getting Aberg at +225 was an easy pick for me, on paper.
Top 10 Picks For the Charles Schwab Challenge 2026
- Ben Griffin (+240)
- J.J. Spaun (+290)
Griffin won this event last year, and past success absolutely plays a role into my decision making when making my plays for upcoming events. I don’t feel as if Griffin’s game is at it’s absolute best, but I think he should be able to be near the Top 10 with the current field.
Speaking of the lesser than field, J.J. Spaun, who did win on tour already this season, should be a viable option to be sniffing a Top 10 finish in this tournament. Spaun’s game has been hit-or-miss this season, so let’s hope he helps us cash this Top 10 play.
Top 20 Value Picks For the Charles Schwab Challenge 2026
- Rickie Fowler (+110)
- Hideki Matsuyama (+134)
Fowler has seen a career resurgence of sorts this season, to the point where he is in the Top 5 odds to win this event. Fowler’s game has improved a lot, but he still has those rounds where he simply can’t get it all together. Nonetheless, I foresee him playing well and finishing near the Top 20.
My “gut pick” of the week is Matsuyama. Last week Tony Finau paid off our “gut pick” and here is hoping Hideki can get the job done as well. Matsuyama has plenty of game, and asking for a Top 20 finish should be a viable option for the Charles Schwab.
Best Prop Bets, Parlays And Bonus Plays for the Charles Schwab Challenge
For bonus plays, these are picks which I don’t necessarily hang my hat on, but still provide value for some who want more exotic plays outside of the aforementioned picks. Sometimes bonus plays are parlays, double chances, triple chances, and even some fun plays for that particular event.
Here are the Bonus plays for the 2026 the Charles Schwab Challenge:
Double Chance: Ludvig Aberg or Justin Thomas (+710)
Triple Chance: Ludvig Aberg, Russell Henley, Ben Griffin (+490)
Winning Margin: 3 Shots (+610)