Week after the PGA Championship the Charles Schwab Challenge Takes Center Stage
The 2025 Charles Schwab Challenge is held at the historic Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. It takes place from May 22-25. This marks the 79th edition of one of the PGA Tour’s most storied events. This tournament is known as “Hogan’s Alley” because Ben Hogan won five victories here. It features a 133-player field competing for a $9.5 million purse, with 500 FedEx Cup points awarded to the winner.
Following Scottie Scheffler’s dominant PGA Championship win, all eyes are on the world No. 1 as he returns to his home state. However, a competitive field, including past champions and emerging talents, promises a thrilling week of golf. Below is a comprehensive preview, including updated odds, course details, favorites, longshots, viewing information, and weather expectations.
Course Description
Colonial Country Club is a classic PGA Tour venue. It is a par-70 layout stretching 7,289 yards. The course is renowned for its strategic demands and rich history. Designed by John Bredemus and Perry Maxwell in 1936, the course emphasizes precision. It was revamped by Gil Hanse in 2023. The course emphasizes precision over power. Its tree-lined fairways, small Bermuda grass greens, and doglegs reward accurate ball-striking and a strong short game. Key statistical areas include driving accuracy.
Another critical statistic is strokes gained: approach. Also, proximity from 125-150 yards is important because many approach shots fall within this range. The course’s relatively short length reduces the importance of driving distance. Windy conditions and tight fairways challenge players’ ability to shape shots. Colonial’s greens are among the hardest to hit in regulation. They ranked fifth on TOUR last season. This makes iron play and scrambling critical. The par-4 5th, part of the famed “Horrible Horseshoe,” is one of the toughest holes, demanding pinpoint accuracy.
Charles Schwab Challenge Preview
Tournament Details
- Dates: May 22-25, 2025
- Location: Colonial Country Club, Fort Worth, Texas
- Par: 70
- Yardage: 7,289
- Purse: $9.5 million
- Defending Champion: Davis Riley
- Field: 133 players (invitational, top-65 and ties make the cut)
Updated Odds to Win
Odds sourced from MyBookie and other major sportsbooks:
- Scottie Scheffler: +226
- Jordan Spieth: +2200
- Hideki Matsuyama: +2400
- Tommy Fleetwood: +2300
- Daniel Berger: +2000
- Maverick McNealy: +2800
- J.T. Poston: +3700
- Harris English: +3100
- Si Woo Kim: +3700
- Aaron Rai: +2800
- Davis Riley: +4100
- Michael Thorbjornsen: +11000
- Ryan Gerard: +6000
- Lucas Glover: +6200
*** Full Field Odds will be at the end of the Preview
Favorites to Watch
Scottie Scheffler (+226)
The world No. 1 is the overwhelming favorite after a sensational 2025 season. He achieved victories at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson and the PGA Championship, winning by five strokes. Scheffler’s history at Colonial is stellar, with finishes of T2, T3, and 2nd in his last three starts, averaging 1.96 true strokes gained per round. His elite iron play (top-ranked in strokes gained: approach) and short-game prowess align perfectly with Colonial’s demands. Playing in his home state, Scheffler is comfortable at Colonial. His recent form makes him a formidable contender. However, his short odds offer limited betting value.
Jordan Spieth (+2200)
Spieth is a Texas native and 2016 champion. He has an exceptional record at Colonial. His achievements include one win, three runner-up finishes, and nine top-14 results in 11 starts since 2013. His 79 strokes gained at Colonial dwarf competitors, averaging 2.2 strokes per round. Despite a mixed 2025 season, Spieth missed the cut at the PGA Championship. He also finished T34 at the Truist Championship. However, his creativity, short game, and familiarity with Bermuda greens make him a strong fit. However, his iron play (71st in strokes gained: approach) and inconsistent recent form temper expectations.
Hideki Matsuyama (+2400)
Matsuyama’s precision and ball-striking make him a natural fit for Colonial, despite a missed cut at the PGA Championship. His iron play is among the TOUR’s best, and his ability to navigate tight fairways suits the course’s demands. Matsuyama’s putting has been inconsistent, but a strong week on Colonial’s greens could propel him to contention. His experience and major championship pedigree add to his appeal at these odds.
Tommy Fleetwood (+2300)
Fleetwood’s tee-to-green consistency (second in strokes gained: tee-to-green over the last three months) makes him a compelling pick. His Colonial history is modest. He finished T35 in 2022 and missed the cut in 2023. However, his recent form, including a T4 at the Truist Championship and seventh at the RBC Heritage, suggests he’s peaking. Colonial’s emphasis on mid-iron accuracy aligns with Fleetwood’s 19th-ranked proximity from 125-150 yards. His putting, historically a weakness, has shown improvement, making him a dangerous contender.
Longshots to Consider
Aaron Rai (+2800)
Rai, a 45-1 longshot, is a standout value pick due to his elite iron play and TOUR-leading driving accuracy. He finished T12 at Colonial in 2023. He also achieved a T19 at the PGA Championship, where he opened with a 4-under 67. These performances highlight his potential. Rai’s sixth-best par-4 scoring average suits Colonial’s layout. His consistency, with three straight top-25 finishes, makes him a live longshot for a big payday.
Michael Thorbjornsen (+11000)
At 125-1, Thorbjornsen is a high-upside pick. The former top amateur is also the 2024 PGA Tour University winner. He has five top-10 finishes in his young career. These include a T2 at Puntacana and T4 at the Zurich Classic. He demonstrated his driving prowess with a recent T41 at the PGA Championship. There, he gained nearly five strokes on the field. These achievements suggest he can compete. With no Colonial history, his raw talent and 3-1 odds for a top-20 finish make him intriguing.
Ryan Gerard (+6000)
Gerard offers value at 70-1. This comes after a T8 at the PGA Championship. He also had a second-place finish at the Valero Texas Open. He ranks 14th in total strokes gained and eighth in birdie average. His Texas success (ninth at the Houston Open) bodes well for his Colonial debut. His aggressive style and scoring ability could capitalize on Colonial’s birdie opportunities.
How to Watch the Charles Schwab Challenge
The 2025 Charles Schwab Challenge will be broadcast across multiple platforms:
- Thursday, May 22:
- 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM ET: PGA TOUR LIVE (ESPN+)
- 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET: Golf Channel
- Friday, May 23:
- 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM ET: PGA TOUR LIVE (ESPN+)
- 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET: Golf Channel
- Saturday, May 24:
- 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM ET: PGA TOUR LIVE (ESPN+)
- 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET: Golf Channel
- 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM ET: CBS
- Sunday, May 25:
- 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET: PGA TOUR LIVE (ESPN+)
- 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET: Golf Channel
- 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM ET: CBS
- Streaming: ESPN+ offers full coverage, including featured groups and holes. The PGA Tour app and website provide real-time scoring and highlights.
Weather Forecast
Fort Worth’s weather for May 22-25, 2025, is expected to be warm and humid, typical of late spring in Texas. Forecasts indicate:
- Thursday: Partly cloudy, high of 88°F, low of 68°F, 20% chance of showers, winds S at 10-15 mph.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, high of 90°F, low of 70°F, 10% chance of rain, winds S at 10-20 mph.
- Saturday: Partly cloudy, high of 89°F, low of 71°F, 30% chance of afternoon showers, winds SW at 15-20 mph.
- Sunday: Sunny, high of 92°F, low of 69°F, 10% chance of rain, winds SW at 10-15 mph.
Wind will be a factor, particularly on exposed holes, emphasizing the need for flighted shots and adaptability.
Conclusion for the PGA Charles Schwab Challenge
The 2025 Charles Schwab Challenge promises a compelling blend of star power and upset potential. Scheffler’s dominance makes him the player to beat. Spieth’s course history adds to his competitive edge. Matsuyama’s precision and Fleetwood’s form also contribute to a strong chasing pack. Longshots like Rai, Thorbjornsen, and Gerard offer value for those seeking big payouts.
With Colonial’s demanding layout and variable weather, precision and adaptability will determine the champion. Fans can catch every moment on ESPN+, Golf Channel, and CBS, ensuring a front-row seat to this Texas tradition.
Full Field Odds to Win the 2025 PGA Tour Charles Schwab Challenge
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