Horse For The Course: PGA DFS Course History - 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge

May 25, 2026

Todd McGill's DraftKings, FanDuel PGA DFS picks for the 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club. Picks for daily fantasy golf based on course history.

It was another shootout in Dallas this past week at TPC Craig Ranch, as Wynham Clark shot -30 under to claim his third PGA Tour victory. It was a lightning-in-a-bottle week for the 32-year-old on the redesigned greens, averaging 3.14 strokes gained putting over the four days. After such a shootout, the $25 million renovation meant to make things more challenging didn't seem to affect the world's best players.

Making the short drive west to Fort Worth, players will get a much stiffer test at the historic Colonial Country Club this week for the Charles Schwab Challenge. It is the most historic non-major venue on the PGA Tour, and has hosted the greatest players throughout the sport's history. This classic golf course is also a decent spot for predictive course history, so let's dive in.

Horse For The Course is an article highlighting players in this week's field with elite course history and is part of our free PGA DFS content here at RotoBaller. For some of the favorite DFS plays of the week, check out the Core Four article written by my buddy, Joe Nicely, here at RotoBaller every Wednesday. It's part of our amazing PGA Premium package that includes an all-new PGA Research Station, Lineup Builder & Optimizer, and some of the best articles in the PGA DFS industry! You can sign up now using the Promo Code TDG for an extra 30% discount at checkout!

2026 Charles Schwab Challenge

Since 1946, golf's greatest players have participated in this tournament at some point. It's widely regarded as Hogan's Alley after the late legend Ben Hogan, who won this event five times and had strong ties to the property.

This event has drawn a wide variety of field strengths in recent memory, with the introduction of Signature Events and schedule changes. However, its position in such a large market and clear historical roots may increase its status in the seasons to come.

This year's field looks lighter in name recognition, with only one top-10 player in the world in the field. However, nearly everyone outside the top 15 is making the start, which creates a much more dynamic group than it appears at first glance. Ben Griffin will be looking to join Ben Hogan as the only two players to go back-to-back here, but there is a ton of talent looking to keep that from coming to fruition.

Be sure to read our other top-notch weekly PGA DFS articles and Player News/Matchup Outlook Posts to help you win big!

Colonial Country Club

Par 70 - 7,289 | Greens: Creeping Bentgrass | Designed By: John Predemus/Perry Maxwell

As one of the shortest courses on the PGA Tour Schedule, accuracy is a premium this week. Everyone in the field is capable of having plenty of scoring opportunities, but the penalty for getting out of position is much more costly here than we've seen in recent weeks.

Patience is a big thing to have around this golf course, as everyone will face shots that require playing away from flags and being content with making pars. Gil Hanse did a major redesign in 2023 to make the course play even more strategically, though it has had little effect on scoring, which typically ranges from -8 to -12 under par.

Wind has traditionally been the element that mostly dictates what it takes to win here. There is greater difficulty in hitting the correct areas from tee to green, especially with a layout that already calls for the ability to shape shots both directions; it can really handcuff players into taking what the course gives them.

Other important stats this week are: Strokes gained on approach from 100 to 175 yards, bogey avoidance, and strokes gained putting on bentgrass.

Recent Charles Schwab Challenge Winners

• 2025: Ben Griffin (-12)
• 2024: Davis Riley (-14)
• 2023: Emiliano Grillo (-8)
• 2022: Sam Burns (-9)
• 2021: Jason Kokrak (-14)

The Horse

Davis Riley

Notable Finishes: 1st ('24), T4 ('22)

Davis Riley taps in for birdie on the 1st to move 11-under and three ahead at Colonial. 🐤

📺: Golf Channel & @peacock | @CSChallengeFW pic.twitter.com/orOWpsTJT0

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) May 25, 2024

It has been feast or famine for Davis Riley at Colonial Country Club. His victory and top-five finish were both followed by missed cuts, which were due to both a poor putting week and the handicap of being out of position off the tee to really attack anything. It's all about angles here.

The ceiling seems to be a performance worthy of victory, but the other side of the coin renders the 29-year-old a real DFS liability. He's coming off two missed cuts in a row and has suffered mightily with the iron play. However, he was in a similarly depressed form two years ago before hoisting the trophy on Sunday. It's a risky play this week, but he's certainly got the course knowledge and familiarity for finding a spark this week.

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The Ponies

Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Notable Finishes: Top-20 ('22, '24, '25), T21 ('23)

HOW?! 🤯

Christiaan Bezuidenhout’s ball takes a U-turn @CJByronNelson.

📺 PGA TOUR LIVE on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/dTVzda75dW

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 21, 2026

If you're looking for consistency, things don't go much further than Christiaan Bezuidenhout at Colonial. The South African hasn't managed to push his way into contention yet, but the ability to plot his way around this golf course is evident. It also helps that his shortness off the tee isn't nearly as detrimental here as it is at other venues on tour.

Approach play is crucial for a demanding test like Colonial, where he has flourished in years past. It isn't quite as sharp entering the week this time around, but unlike his irons, the putter is on fire, ranking sixth this season in strokes gained putting. There have been flashes of form throughout the year, but ultimately, it will be course knowledge that makes him a decent fantasy asset.

Tony Finau

Notable Finishes: 2nd ('19), T4 ('22)

It was a solid week in Dallas last week for Tony Finau, finishing T6 for his first top-10 of the season. Things couldn't be more adventageous for the 36-year-old this week, as he has consistently played well at Colonial Country Club throughout his career.

Despite his struggle with accuracy off the tee, things are different when he's here. He understands the angles needed to play these holes effectively, but has struggled some on the greens since the redesign. The work with the putter is still a concern, but if last week is any indication, the stuff from tee to green is starting to find its way. He's worthy of DFS consideration this week.

Pierceson Coody

Notable Finishes: T5 ('24), T16 ('25)

Pierceson Coody drains it for birdie from 47 feet on the 17th. 💪

📺: Golf Channel & @peacock | @ValeroTXOpen pic.twitter.com/EMiDPWKS27

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) April 4, 2024

With the absence of so many notable names, players with extensive course history are few and far between. However, it's hard to ignore Pierceson Coody's back-to-back performances in the last two iterations. He's an outlier of a big-hitter turning things down to fit the constraints of this venue, and has found success despite the lack of accuracy.

Putting has been the leading charge of his success at this golf course, averaging 0.777 strokes gained on the greens over his three appearances. He isn't revered as a premium approach player, but has a solid wedge and short-iron game that works well around Colonial Country Club. If the putter can continue to shine, he should again be a useful DFS selection.

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