Charles Schwab Challenge Predictions: Plenty of Hope for Gary Woodland

It may not be one of the PGA Tour’s much vaunted Signature Events, but the Charles Schwab Challenge remains one of the most prestigious tournaments on the PGA Tour schedule. 

It owes that position to its heritage, the host course, and the man the tournament is forever associated with. 

That man is the great Ben Hogan, who was a Fort Worth resident. 

And he not only lived near the course - he also won this event five times. 

In fact, he so adored Colonial Country Club, it is often referred to as Hogan’s Alley. 

The winner of the tournament receives a Scottish tartan plaid jacket, and the greats have slipped their arms inside it: Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson, and Phil Mickelson.

But not Scottie Scheffler, even though the Texas resident has twice been runner-up. Perhaps that helps explain his absence this week. 

Colonial is a good test for punters because we know what it takes to win here. 

It features many doglegged par-4s and, typical of Texas, there are blustery breezes between those tree-lined fairways. 

• Ben Griffin defends his first solo PGA Tour title

• Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg heads the betting

• The venue is a classic design with many tree-lined dogleg holes

Who will own a tartan jacket at the end of this week? Let’s take a look.

Charles Schwab Challenge 2026 Odds

Odds from BetMGM Sportsbook. Sign up today with our BetMGM bonus code WSNSPORTS and take advantage of the welcome offer: Get Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets*. For more insights, check our curated list of the best golf betting sites.

Charles Schwab Challenge 2026 Predictions

• Gary Woodland to win at +4000 and top five +800 with Caesars Sportsbook

• Bud Cauley to win at +5000 and top five at +900 with FanDuel Sportsbook

•  Emiliano Grillo top 20 at +450 with BetMGM

*21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

Winners at Colonial Country Club

Colonial Country Club Notes

• The course is a par 70 that is set up to around 7,209 yards

• It was designed by John Bredemus and Perry Maxwell

• Ben Hogan won there fives times (it’s nickname is Hogan’s Alley)

• It features many tight and doglegged par-4s

• As always in Texas, the wind can blow

• There is bent grass on the greens

Contenders to Win the Charles Schwab Challenge

Ludvig Aberg (+800) at BetMGM

A course debut for the Swede who has six top 10 finishes in his last seven PGA Tour starts, but he keeps failing to convert winning opportunities. In fact, he’s been top 20 with 18 holes to play in three of those recent starts.

Russell Henley (+1400) at BetMGM

The Georgian was T58 on course debut in 2018 and T6 in 2023. A winner at Waialae, which has many doglegs like Colonial, and he has also won in Texas, at the 2017 Houston Open.

Rickie Fowler (+1600) at BetMGM

A 12-time starter at Colonial, Fowler has recorded five top 20s with a best of T5 in 2012. He was T60 last time out in the PGA Championship, but made three consecutive top 10s before that.

Use Code WSNSPORTS at BetMGM for $1,500 Bonus

Woodland Can Double Up

After a difficult few years, 2026 has offered Gary Woodland plenty of hope. 

In March, the 2019 US Open champion revealed that he has been suffering from PTSD since having surgery for a brain tumour in 2023. 

Shortly after that revelation, he won the Houston Open at Memorial Park and it was probably the most popular win on the PGA Tour this year.

We should take note of that success because Memorial Park, like Colonial, was designed by John Bredemus. Moreover, success ot one of those courses had proved a useful pointer to the other.

And, even beyond that link, Woodland has a very fine record in this event. 

He was T9 in 2020 (when one shot off the 54-hole lead), T14 in 2021, and T11 last year. 

Since the win, he has finished T8 at Harbour Town and, while he hasn’t added a top 10 anywhere else, he has produced some of the best results of his career on courses he hasn’t previously thrived on.

Back him at Caesars Sportsbook: +4000 to win and +800 top five.

Use code WSNDYW at Caesars to Double Your Winnings

Cauley Can

The 36-year-old Floridian Bud Cauley is another golfer who has had to overcome bad times before returning to the PGA Tour.

In his case, he was involved in a car accident in 2018 that saw him break five ribs in addition to a broken leg and punctured lung.

It was only last year that he fully rediscovered his mojo, a period that peaked with third place in this event.

More recently, he has played 72 holes in 10 of his last 11 starts, and that consistency was rewarded with T7 at Harbour Town and a major championship best performance of T26 in the PGA Championship.

He was briefly in the mix in that latter start and, encouraged, he can make another bold bit at Colonial.

Back him to win at +5000 and make the top five at +800 with FanDuel Sportsbook.

Win a $5 Wager at FanDuel, Get $150 in Bonus Bets

Hot Grillo

Last week Emiliano Grillo opened with a 64 at The CJ Cup and we should take heed of the hint.

Because, to put it simply, the Argentine golfer really loves Colonial Country Club.

He was T3 there in 2018, T19 in 2019, T8 in 2021, T16 last year, and the champion in 2023.

That’s five top 20 finishes in 10 starts - and that makes him the banker of the week.

Keep it simple and take the +450 for another top 20 with BetMGM.

Claim $1,500 Bonus at BetMGM with code WSNSPORTS

How to Watch the Charles Schwab Challenge

• Tournament: Charles Schwab Challenge

• Location: Colonial Country Club, Fort Worth, Texas

• Date: Thursday, May 28 - Sunday, May 31

• How to Watch: Live coverage on the Golf Channel and NBC, streaming available through Peacock, and on Sky Sports in the UK.