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Charles Schwab Challenge Betting Tips & Preview - PGA Tour predictions for Colonial

brad-newcomb
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Last updated: Tue 26 May 2026 14:52
The 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial promises intense competition with four standout value selections: Ludvig Aberg, Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler, and Alex Smalley. All four have shown resurgent or consistent form recently, positioning themselves as strong contenders to win in Texas. Defending champion Ben Griffin is also in the field, but these recommended picks offer bettors strategic value. The key takeaway: Each of these players is in shape to challenge for the trophy, with Aberg and Smalley particularly looking to clinch breakthrough victories.
Brad Newcomb 26 May 2026
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  • Four value players tipped to win the 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge
  • Aberg, Thomas, Fowler, Smalley all backed
  • Defending champion Ben Griffin returns to Colonial
Ludvig Aberg
Ludvig Aberg has been ultra-consistent on the PGA Tour in recent months (Getty Images)

The PGA Tour stages the Charles Schwab Challenge in Texas from May 28-31 with four players picked out as value options to win at Colonial.

Ben Griffin is back to defend his title after a one-stroke victory over Matti Schmid in 2025. 

These are our four selections that could win the title this weekend.

Ludvig Aberg


Ludvig Aberg was not performing at his best at the start of his season. He withdrew from the American Express, missed the cut at the Farmers Insurance Open before finishing T37 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and T20 at the Genesis Invitational. 

However, Aberg has been in great shape on the PGA Tour since those results, placing T3 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, T5 at the Players Championship, T5 at the Valero Texas Open, T21 at the Masters, T4 at the RBC Heritage, T8 at the Truist Championship, and T4 at the recent PGA Championship.

The Swede will make his debut at the 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge this weekend. 

Aberg has been knocking hard lately and has strong claims to the title at the Colonial this weekend. 

Justin Thomas


Justin Thomas struggled to find form on his return to the PGA Tour in March, with results of MC at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, T8 at the Players Championship, T30 at the Valspar Championship, T41 at the Masters, and T77 at the RBC Heritage. 

Thomas has shown improvement in his subsequent three starts, placing T23 at the Cadillac Championship, 13th at the Truist Championship, and T4 at the PGA Championship. 

The two-time Major winner has featured three times at the Charles Schwab Challenge, finishing T10 in 2020, T40 in 2021, and MC in 2022. 

Thomas has threatened to produce a winning performance lately and can secure a victory in Texas come Sunday.

Rickie Fowler 


Rickie Fowler was in solid form at the start of his season, placing T18 at the American Express, T18 at the WM Phoenix Open, T19 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, T28 at the Genesis Invitational, and T9 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. 

Fowler's form dipped after those results, finishing T42 at the Players Championship, MC at the Texas Children's Houston Open, and MC at the Valero Texas Open before regaining his touch on the PGA Tour, placing T8 at the RBC Heritage, T9 at the Cadillac Championship, T2 at the Truist Championship, and T60 at the PGA Championship. 

The five-time PGA Tour winner has compiled a solid record at the Charles Schwab Challenge, placing T14 in 2018, MC in 2019, MC in 2020, T57 in 2022, T6 in 2023, T37 in 2024, and T16 in 2025. 

Fowler has been posting excellent results in recent outings and can hoist the trophy in Texas come Sunday.

Alex Smalley


Alex Smalley lacked consistency during the first two months of his season on the PGA Tour, finishing T40 at the Sony Open in Hawaii, T44 at the American Express, MC at the Farmers Insurance Open, T35 at the WM Phoenix Open, T19 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, T52 at the Cognizant Classic, T24 at the Players Championship, and T46 at the Valspar Championship.

However, Smalley has been performing well lately, placing T21 at the Texas Children's Houston Open, T14 at the Valero Texas Open, T2 at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, T7 at the Cadillac Championship, T17 at the Truist Championship, and T2 at the recent PGA Championship.

The 29-year-old American has made four appearances at the Charles Schwab Challenge, finishing T27 in 2022, T40 in 2023, WD in 2024, and MC in 2025. 

Smalley will fancy his chances of winning at the Colonial this weekend, as he has been in contention lately. 

Verdict

Aberg has been in fine form lately and will look to cap off his recent performances by winning the Charles Schwab Challenge for the first time.
 
Thomas looks set to return to the winner's circle with a victory at the Colonial this Sunday.
 
Fowler has the form to upstage the others at Fort Worth this weekend.

Smalley comes into this event in great shape and can win his maiden PGA Tour title in Texas this weekend.

Best Bet1: Ludvig Aberg Each-Way @9/1 at Hollywood bets - 1 Unit
Best Bet2: Justin Thomas Each-Way @20/1 at bet365 - 1 Unit
Best Bet3: Rickie Fowler Each-Way @22/1 at Star Sports - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: Alex Smalley Each-Way @35/1 at Hollywood bets - 1 Unit
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