Travelers Championship

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.

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

History

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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

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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

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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

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

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

Multiple winners

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

Highlights

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References

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