Travelers Championship

Travelers Championship
Tournament information
LocationCromwell, Connecticut
Established1952
Course(s)TPC at River Highlands
Par70
Length6,844 yards (6,258 m)
Organized byGreater Hartford Community Foundation
Tour(s)PGA Tour
FormatStroke play
Prize fundUS$20,000,000
Month playedJune
Tournament record score
Aggregate257 Keegan Bradley (2023)
To par−25 Tim Norris (1982)
Current champion
United States Scottie Scheffler
Location map
TPC at River Highlands is located in the United States
TPC at River Highlands
TPC at River Highlands
Location in United States
TPC at River Highlands is located in Connecticut
TPC at River Highlands
TPC at River Highlands
Location in Connecticut

The Travelers Championship is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour in Cromwell, Connecticut, a suburb south of Hartford. Since 1984 the tournament has been held at TPC River Highlands. It is managed by The Greater Hartford Community Foundation. In 2018 the Travelers Championship earned the Players Choice Award for the second consecutive year, which is voted on by PGA Tour members for its services, hospitality, attendance and quality of the course.

The 2016 tournament was played in August due to the Summer Olympics,[1] but in 2017 the tournament returned to June.

History

[edit]

The tournament was founded 72 years ago in 1952 as the Insurance City Open;[2] It was renamed the Greater Hartford Open in 1967, a title that was retained through 2003. From 1973 through 1988, the GHO also bore the name of entertainer Sammy Davis Jr., who would often play in the pro-ams. Canon was a title sponsor from 1985 to 2002, and their employees would often take vacation time during tournament week to volunteer at the event. Buick was title sponsor from 2004 to 2006 and The Travelers Companies took over sponsorship in 2007.

For the tournament's first three decades, it was played at Wethersfield Country Club, about five miles (8 km) north. In 1984, after the PGA Tour bought and redesigned Edgewood Country Club, the event moved to the new TPC of Connecticut in Cromwell. In 1991, the course was substantially redesigned with a completely new front nine holes and renamed the TPC at River Highlands. This TPC property was the third PGA Tour owned/managed championship golf course in what would grow to a network of over 30 TPC Clubs (2010).

When Canon announced it would not renew its sponsorship after the 2002 season, organizers feared the tournament would lose its spot on the tour for the 2003 season if a new sponsor could not be found. A fundraising campaign, followed by Buick signing a three year sponsorship agreement, allowed the tournament to continue under the title Buick Championship. When Buick did not renew its sponsorship after the 2006 season, the tournament briefly lost its spot on the tour schedule, and a "less prestigious" spot on the Champions Tour was considered. However, a spot opened on the tour, and Travelers signed on to sponsor the tournament starting 2007.[3]

The purse for the 2006 tournament, under Buick's sponsorship, was $4.4 million, with $792,000 going to the winner. From 2007 to 2010, the purse under Travelers' sponsorship was $6 million, with $1,080,000 going to the champion.

Over the last decade, longer hitters have done well at the tournament, with Stewart Cink, Hunter Mahan, J. J. Henry, Phil Mickelson, and Bubba Watson combining for six victories over a ten-year span. Mahan also finished tied for second in 2006 and 2008.[4]

Its position on the calendar has varied; in 2005 it was played in late August but in 2006 it was played in late June. Part of the FedEx Cup, the Travelers Championship has been played in late June, the week after the U.S. Open, since 2007.

For the 2020 season, it is part of the Open Qualifying Series providing up to two spots in the Open Championship for the top two non-exempt finishers in the top 8.

Attendance

[edit]

It is the second-most-attended PGA Tour event annually, behind only the Waste Management Phoenix Open.[5] In 2011, the tournament attracted 240,000 fans for the week and 70,000 fans on Sunday. The tournament set a record attendance in 2002 with nearly 400,000 fans for the week. In 2017 about 290,000 fans attended, the most since Travelers started hosting the tournament.[6]

Course

[edit]
Hole 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Out 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 In Total
Yards 434 341 431 481 223 574 443 202 406 3,535 462 158 411 523 421 296 171 420 444 3,306 6,841
Par 4 4 4 4 3 5 4 3 4 35 4 3 4 5 4 4 3 4 4 35 70

Source:[7]

Winners

[edit]
Year Winner Score To par Margin of
victory
Runner(s)-up Purse
(US$)
Winner's
share ($)
Ref.
Travelers Championship
2024 United States Scottie Scheffler 258 −22 Playoff South Korea Tom Kim 20,000,000 3,600,000
2023 United States Keegan Bradley 257 −23 3 strokes United States Zac Blair
United States Brian Harman
20,000,000 3,600,000
2022 United States Xander Schauffele 261 −19 2 strokes United States J. T. Poston
United States Sahith Theegala
8,300,000 1,494,000
2021 United States Harris English 267 −13 Playoff United States Kramer Hickok 7,400,000 1,332,000
2020 United States Dustin Johnson 261 −19 1 stroke United States Kevin Streelman 7,400,000 1,332,000
2019 United States Chez Reavie 263 −17 4 strokes United States Keegan Bradley
United States Zack Sucher
7,200,000 1,296,000
2018 United States Bubba Watson (3) 263 −17 3 strokes England Paul Casey
United States Stewart Cink
United States J. B. Holmes
United States Beau Hossler
7,000,000 1,260,000
2017 United States Jordan Spieth 268 −12 Playoff United States Daniel Berger 6,800,000 1,224,000
2016 Scotland Russell Knox 266 −14 1 stroke United States Jerry Kelly 6,600,000 1,188,000
2015 United States Bubba Watson (2) 264 −16 Playoff England Paul Casey 6,400,000 1,152,000
2014 United States Kevin Streelman 265 −15 1 stroke South Korea K. J. Choi
Spain Sergio García
6,200,000 1,116,000
2013 United States Ken Duke 268 −12 Playoff United States Chris Stroud 6,100,000 1,098,000
2012 Australia Marc Leishman 266 −14 1 stroke United States Charley Hoffman
United States Bubba Watson
6,000,000 1,080,000
2011 Sweden Freddie Jacobson 260 −20 1 stroke United States Ryan Moore
United States John Rollins
6,000,000 1,080,000
2010 United States Bubba Watson 266 −14 Playoff United States Corey Pavin
United States Scott Verplank
6,000,000 1,080,000
2009 United States Kenny Perry 258 −22 3 strokes United States Paul Goydos
United States David Toms
6,000,000 1,080,000
2008 United States Stewart Cink (2) 262 −18 1 stroke United States Tommy Armour III
United States Hunter Mahan
6,000,000 1,080,000
2007 United States Hunter Mahan 265 −15 Playoff United States Jay Williamson 6,000,000 1,080,000
Buick Championship
2006 United States J. J. Henry 266 −14 3 strokes United States Hunter Mahan
United States Ryan Moore
4,400,000 792,000
2005 United States Brad Faxon 266 −14 Playoff South Africa Tjaart van der Walt 4,300,000 774,000
2004 United States Woody Austin 270 −10 Playoff United States Tim Herron 4,200,000 756,000
Greater Hartford Open
2003 United States Peter Jacobsen (2) 266 −14 2 strokes United States Chris Riley 4,000,000 720,000
Canon Greater Hartford Open
2002 United States Phil Mickelson (2) 266 −14 1 stroke United States Jonathan Kaye
United States Davis Love III
4,000,000 720,000
2001 United States Phil Mickelson 264 −16 1 stroke United States Billy Andrade 3,100,000 558,000
2000 United States Notah Begay III 260 −20 1 stroke United States Mark Calcavecchia 2,800,000 504,000
1999 United States Brent Geiberger 262 −18 3 strokes United States Skip Kendall 2,500,000 450,000
1998 United States Olin Browne 266 −14 Playoff United States Stewart Cink
United States Larry Mize
2,000,000 360,000
1997 United States Stewart Cink 267 −13 1 stroke United States Tom Byrum
United States Brandel Chamblee
United States Jeff Maggert
1,500,000 270,000
1996 United States D. A. Weibring 270 −10 4 strokes United States Tom Kite 1,500,000 270,000
1995 Australia Greg Norman 267 −13 2 strokes United States Dave Stockton Jr.
United States Kirk Triplett
New Zealand Grant Waite
1,200,000 216,000
1994 South Africa David Frost 268 −12 1 stroke Australia Greg Norman 1,200,000 216,000
1993 Zimbabwe Nick Price 271 −9 1 stroke United States Dan Forsman
United States Roger Maltbie
1,000,000 180,000
1992 United States Lanny Wadkins 274 −6 2 strokes United States Dan Forsman
United States Donnie Hammond
Zimbabwe Nick Price
1,000,000 180,000
1991 United States Billy Ray Brown 271 −9 Playoff United States Rick Fehr
United States Corey Pavin
1,000,000 180,000
1990 United States Wayne Levi 267 −13 2 strokes United States Mark Calcavecchia
United States Brad Fabel
United States Rocco Mediate
United States Chris Perry
1,000,000 180,000
1989 United States Paul Azinger (2) 267 −17 1 stroke United States Wayne Levi 1,000,000 180,000
Canon Sammy Davis Jr.–Greater Hartford Open
1988 United States Mark Brooks 269 −15 Playoff Canada Dave Barr
United States Joey Sindelar
700,000 126,000
1987 United States Paul Azinger 269 −15 1 stroke United States Dan Forsman
United States Wayne Levi
700,000 126,000
1986 United States Mac O'Grady 269 −15 Playoff United States Roger Maltbie 700,000 126,000
1985 United States Phil Blackmar 271 −13 Playoff United States Jodie Mudd
United States Dan Pohl
600,000 108,000
Sammy Davis Jr.-Greater Hartford Open
1984 United States Peter Jacobsen 269 −15 2 strokes United States Mark O'Meara 400,000 72,000
1983 United States Curtis Strange 268 −16 1 stroke United States Jay Haas
United States Jack Renner
300,000 54,000
1982 United States Tim Norris 259 −25 6 strokes United States Raymond Floyd
United States Hubert Green
300,000 54,000
1981 United States Hubert Green 264 −20 1 stroke United States Bobby Clampett
United States Fred Couples
United States Roger Maltbie
300,000 54,000
1980 United States Howard Twitty 266 −18 Playoff United States Jim Simons 300,000 54,000
1979 United States Jerry McGee 267 −17 1 stroke United States Jack Renner 300,000 54,000
1978 United States Rod Funseth 264 −20 4 strokes United States Dale Douglass
United States Lee Elder
United States Billy Kratzert
210,000 42,000
1977 United States Billy Kratzert 265 −19 3 strokes United States Grier Jones
United States Larry Nelson
210,000 42,000
1976 United States Rik Massengale 266 −18 2 strokes United States Al Geiberger
United States J. C. Snead
210,000 42,000
1975 United States Don Bies 267 −17 Playoff United States Hubert Green 200,000 40,000
1974 United States Dave Stockton 268 −16 4 strokes United States Raymond Floyd 200,000 40,000
1973 United States Billy Casper (4) 264 −20 1 stroke Australia Bruce Devlin 200,000 40,000
Greater Hartford Open Invitational
1972 United States Lee Trevino 269 −15 Playoff United States Lee Elder 125,000 25,000
1971 United States George Archer 268 −16 Playoff United States Lou Graham
United States J. C. Snead
110,000 22,000
1970 United States Bob Murphy 267 −17 4 strokes United States Paul Harney 100,000 20,000
1969 United States Bob Lunn 268 −16 Playoff United States Dave Hill 100,000 20,000
1968 United States Billy Casper (3) 266 −18 3 strokes Australia Bruce Crampton 100,000 20,000
1967 United States Charlie Sifford 272 −12 1 stroke United States Steve Oppermann 100,000 20,000
Insurance City Open Invitational
1966 United States Art Wall Jr. 266 −18 2 strokes United States Wes Ellis 100,000 20,000
1965 United States Billy Casper (2) 274 −10 Playoff United States Johnny Pott 70,000 11,000
1964 United States Ken Venturi 273 −11 1 stroke United States Al Besselink
United States Paul Bondeson
United States Sam Carmichael
United States Jim Grant
50,000 7,500
1963 United States Billy Casper 271 −13 1 stroke United States George Bayer 40,000 6,400
1962 United States Bob Goalby 271 −13 Playoff United States Art Wall Jr. 35,000 5,300
1961 United States Billy Maxwell 271 −13 Playoff United States Ted Kroll 30,000 4,300
1960 United States Arnold Palmer (2) 270 −14 Playoff United States Bill Collins
United States Jack Fleck
30,000 3,500
1959 United States Gene Littler 272 −12 1 stroke United States Tom Nieporte 25,000 3,500
1958 United States Jack Burke Jr. 268 −16 3 strokes United States Dow Finsterwald
United States Art Wall Jr.
25,000 3,500
1957 United States Gardner Dickinson 272 −12 2 strokes United States George Bayer 22,000 2,800 [8]
Insurance City Open
1956 United States Arnold Palmer 274 −10 Playoff United States Ted Kroll 20,000 4,000 [9][10][11]
1955 United States Sam Snead 269 −15 7 strokes United States Fred Hawkins
United States Mike Souchak
20,000 4,000 [12]
1954 United States Tommy Bolt 271 −13 Playoff United States Earl Stewart 15,000 2,500 [13]
1953 United States Bob Toski 269 −15 1 stroke Australia Jim Ferrier 15,000 2,400 [14]
1952 United States Ted Kroll 273 −11 4 strokes United States Lawson Little
United States Skee Riegel
United States Earl Stewart
15,000 2,400 [2]

Note: Green highlight indicates scoring records.
Sources:[4][15][16]

Multiple winners

[edit]

Seven men have won the Travelers Championship more than once through 2018.

Highlights

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Wacker, Brian (July 23, 2015). "Travelers Championship announces new date". PGA Tour.
  2. ^ a b c "Ted Kroll wins first tournament". Ottawa Citizen. Associated Press. September 2, 1952. p. 18.
  3. ^ "In 2002, the Greater Hartford Open nearly went broke; here's how organizers, with help from Phil Mickelson, kept it afloat". The Hartford Courant. June 16, 2019. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Travelers Championship – Past Winners". PGA Tour. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  5. ^ Inside the course: TPC River Highlands Archived 2011-06-04 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "Spieth's Playoff Win Caps Record Attendance For PGA Tour Travelers Championship". www.sportsbusinessdaily.com. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
  7. ^ "Course map" (PDF). Travelers Championship. May 2012. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
  8. ^ "Dickinson Takes Insurance Golf". The Modesto Bee. California. United Press. September 3, 1957. p. 17. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
  9. ^ "Littler Listed Insurance City Golf Favorite". The Deseret News. Salt Lake City, Utah. United Press. June 28, 1956. p. 2D. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
  10. ^ "Weather Rated Big Factor In Insurance Open". The Tuscaloosa News. Alabama. Associated Press. June 28, 1956. p. 11. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
  11. ^ a b "Palmer takes Insurance Open after playoff with Ted Kroll". Montreal Gazette. Associated Press. June 2, 1956. p. 16.
  12. ^ "Sammy Snead Takes Berth". Prescott Evening Courier. Arizona. Associated Press. September 6, 1955. p. 5. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
  13. ^ "Bolt and Stewart Play Off For Wethersfield Golf Cash". The Day. New London, Connecticut. Associated Press. June 28, 1954. p. 19. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
  14. ^ "Toski Nabs $15,000 Insurance City Go". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Florida. Associated Press. August 31, 1953. p. 7. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
  15. ^ Travelers Championship – Winners Archived 2011-06-29 at the Wayback Machine – at golfobserver.com (since 1970)
  16. ^ Johnson, Sal; Seanor, Dave, eds. (2009). The USA Today Golfers Encyclopedia. New York, New York: Skyhorse Publishing. ISBN 978-1-60239-302-8.
  17. ^ Ted Kroll Cops Storm-Hindered Insurance Open
  18. ^ Staats, Wayne (October 29, 2018). "These are the only three golfers to make two holes-in-one in same PGA Tour round". PGA of America. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  19. ^ Palmer Uses Foe's Putter for Playoff Win
  20. ^ 18-inch putt costs Wall $1,900
  21. ^ Charles Sifford Wins Hartford Tourney
  22. ^ Casper Grabs Hartford Win
  23. ^ Trevino Tops Elder To Cop Hartford Open
  24. ^ Billy Casper Leaves Mob to Capture Hartford Crown
  25. ^ Stockton Claims Hartford Win
  26. ^ Kratzert outduels Strange, wins Greater Hartford Open
  27. ^ Norris wins in Hartford by 6 strokes
  28. ^ Controversial Mac 'Grady wins Hartford Open
  29. ^ Azinger of a chip keys Hartford win
  30. ^ Lanny Wadkins wins his 21st title at the Hartford Open
  31. ^ Long Putt Gives Begay Back-to-Back Victories
  32. ^ Golf; Mickelson Earns Repeat Title at Greater Hartford Open
  33. ^ "Hartford triumph for Jacobsen". The Age. 2003-07-28. Archived from the original on 2012-11-06.
  34. ^ Tournament History Archived 2011-05-04 at the Wayback Machine
  35. ^ "Patrick Cantlay's 60 is amateur record on PGA Tour". San Francisco Chronicle. Associated Press. June 25, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  36. ^ "Streelman sets birdie record in win". ESPN. Associated Press. June 22, 2014.
  37. ^ Sobel, Jason (August 7, 2016). "Jim Furyk notches record for best PGA Tour round". ESPN.
  38. ^ "Longest Sudden-Death Playoff". PGA Tour. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
  39. ^ Romine, Brentley (2024-06-23). "Scottie Scheffler just did something not even Tiger Woods or Jack Nicklaus can claim". NBC Sports. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
[edit]

41°37′55″N 72°38′20″W / 41.632°N 72.639°W / 41.632; -72.639