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.

History

The tournament was founded 74 years ago in 1952 as the Insurance City Open; 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.

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.

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

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

It is the second-most-attended PGA Tour event annually, behind only the Waste Management Phoenix Open. 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.

Course

Hole123456789Out101112131415161718InTotal
Yards4343414314812235744432024063,5354621584115234212961714204443,3066,841
Par444435434354345443443570

Source:

Winners

YearWinnerScoreTo parMargin of victoryRunner(s)-upPurse (US$)Winner's share ($)Ref.
Travelers Championship
2025United States Keegan Bradley (2)265−151 strokeEngland Tommy Fleetwood United States Russell Henley20,000,0003,600,000
2024United States Scottie Scheffler258−22PlayoffSouth Korea Tom Kim20,000,0003,600,000
2023United States Keegan Bradley257−233 strokesUnited States Zac Blair United States Brian Harman20,000,0003,600,000
2022United States Xander Schauffele261−192 strokesUnited States J. T. Poston United States Sahith Theegala8,300,0001,494,000
2021United States Harris English267−13PlayoffUnited States Kramer Hickok7,400,0001,332,000
2020United States Dustin Johnson261−191 strokeUnited States Kevin Streelman7,400,0001,332,000
2019United States Chez Reavie263−174 strokesUnited States Keegan Bradley United States Zack Sucher7,200,0001,296,000
2018United States Bubba Watson (3)263−173 strokesEngland Paul Casey United States Stewart Cink United States J. B. Holmes United States Beau Hossler7,000,0001,260,000
2017United States Jordan Spieth268−12PlayoffUnited States Daniel Berger6,800,0001,224,000
2016Scotland Russell Knox266−141 strokeUnited States Jerry Kelly6,600,0001,188,000
2015United States Bubba Watson (2)264−16PlayoffEngland Paul Casey6,400,0001,152,000
2014United States Kevin Streelman265−151 strokeSouth Korea K. J. Choi Spain Sergio García6,200,0001,116,000
2013United States Ken Duke268−12PlayoffUnited States Chris Stroud6,100,0001,098,000
2012Australia Marc Leishman266−141 strokeUnited States Charley Hoffman United States Bubba Watson6,000,0001,080,000
2011Sweden Freddie Jacobson260−201 strokeUnited States Ryan Moore United States John Rollins6,000,0001,080,000
2010United States Bubba Watson266−14PlayoffUnited States Corey Pavin United States Scott Verplank6,000,0001,080,000
2009United States Kenny Perry258−223 strokesUnited States Paul Goydos United States David Toms6,000,0001,080,000
2008United States Stewart Cink (2)262−181 strokeUnited States Tommy Armour III United States Hunter Mahan6,000,0001,080,000
2007United States Hunter Mahan265−15PlayoffUnited States Jay Williamson6,000,0001,080,000
Buick Championship
2006United States J. J. Henry266−143 strokesUnited States Hunter Mahan United States Ryan Moore4,400,000792,000
2005United States Brad Faxon266−14PlayoffSouth Africa Tjaart van der Walt4,300,000774,000
2004United States Woody Austin270−10PlayoffUnited States Tim Herron4,200,000756,000
Greater Hartford Open
2003United States Peter Jacobsen (2)266−142 strokesUnited States Chris Riley4,000,000720,000
Canon Greater Hartford Open
2002United States Phil Mickelson (2)266−141 strokeUnited States Jonathan Kaye United States Davis Love III4,000,000720,000
2001United States Phil Mickelson264−161 strokeUnited States Billy Andrade3,100,000558,000
2000United States Notah Begay III260−201 strokeUnited States Mark Calcavecchia2,800,000504,000
1999United States Brent Geiberger262−183 strokesUnited States Skip Kendall2,500,000450,000
1998United States Olin Browne266−14PlayoffUnited States Stewart Cink United States Larry Mize2,000,000360,000
1997United States Stewart Cink267−131 strokeUnited States Tom Byrum United States Brandel Chamblee United States Jeff Maggert1,500,000270,000
1996United States D. A. Weibring270−104 strokesUnited States Tom Kite1,500,000270,000
1995Australia Greg Norman267−132 strokesUnited States Dave Stockton Jr. United States Kirk Triplett New Zealand Grant Waite1,200,000216,000
1994South Africa David Frost268−121 strokeAustralia Greg Norman1,200,000216,000
1993Zimbabwe Nick Price271−91 strokeUnited States Dan Forsman United States Roger Maltbie1,000,000180,000
1992United States Lanny Wadkins274−62 strokesUnited States Dan Forsman United States Donnie Hammond Zimbabwe Nick Price1,000,000180,000
1991United States Billy Ray Brown271−9PlayoffUnited States Rick Fehr United States Corey Pavin1,000,000180,000
1990United States Wayne Levi267−132 strokesUnited States Mark Calcavecchia United States Brad Fabel United States Rocco Mediate United States Chris Perry1,000,000180,000
1989United States Paul Azinger (2)267−171 strokeUnited States Wayne Levi1,000,000180,000
Canon Sammy Davis Jr.–Greater Hartford Open
1988United States Mark Brooks269−15PlayoffCanada Dave Barr United States Joey Sindelar700,000126,000
1987United States Paul Azinger269−151 strokeUnited States Dan Forsman United States Wayne Levi700,000126,000
1986United States Mac O'Grady269−15PlayoffUnited States Roger Maltbie700,000126,000
1985United States Phil Blackmar271−13PlayoffUnited States Jodie Mudd United States Dan Pohl600,000108,000
Sammy Davis Jr.-Greater Hartford Open
1984United States Peter Jacobsen269−152 strokesUnited States Mark O'Meara400,00072,000
1983United States Curtis Strange268−161 strokeUnited States Jay Haas United States Jack Renner300,00054,000
1982United States Tim Norris259−256 strokesUnited States Raymond Floyd United States Hubert Green300,00054,000
1981United States Hubert Green264−201 strokeUnited States Bobby Clampett United States Fred Couples United States Roger Maltbie300,00054,000
1980United States Howard Twitty266−18PlayoffUnited States Jim Simons300,00054,000
1979United States Jerry McGee267−171 strokeUnited States Jack Renner300,00054,000
1978United States Rod Funseth264−204 strokesUnited States Dale Douglass United States Lee Elder United States Billy Kratzert210,00042,000
1977United States Billy Kratzert265−193 strokesUnited States Grier Jones United States Larry Nelson210,00042,000
1976United States Rik Massengale266−182 strokesUnited States Al Geiberger United States J. C. Snead210,00042,000
1975United States Don Bies267−17PlayoffUnited States Hubert Green200,00040,000
1974United States Dave Stockton268−164 strokesUnited States Raymond Floyd200,00040,000
1973United States Billy Casper (4)264−201 strokeAustralia Bruce Devlin200,00040,000
Greater Hartford Open Invitational
1972United States Lee Trevino269−15PlayoffUnited States Lee Elder125,00025,000
1971United States George Archer268−16PlayoffUnited States Lou Graham United States J. C. Snead110,00022,000
1970United States Bob Murphy267−174 strokesUnited States Paul Harney100,00020,000
1969United States Bob Lunn268−16PlayoffUnited States Dave Hill100,00020,000
1968United States Billy Casper (3)266−183 strokesAustralia Bruce Crampton100,00020,000
1967United States Charlie Sifford272−121 strokeUnited States Steve Oppermann100,00020,000
Insurance City Open Invitational
1966United States Art Wall Jr.266−182 strokesUnited States Wes Ellis100,00020,000
1965United States Billy Casper (2)274−10PlayoffUnited States Johnny Pott70,00011,000
1964United States Ken Venturi273−111 strokeUnited States Al Besselink United States Paul Bondeson United States Sam Carmichael United States Jim Grant50,0007,500
1963United States Billy Casper271−131 strokeUnited States George Bayer40,0006,400
1962United States Bob Goalby271−13PlayoffUnited States Art Wall Jr.35,0005,300
1961United States Billy Maxwell271−13PlayoffUnited States Ted Kroll30,0004,300
1960United States Arnold Palmer (2)270−14PlayoffUnited States Bill Collins United States Jack Fleck30,0003,500
1959United States Gene Littler272−121 strokeUnited States Tom Nieporte25,0003,500
1958United States Jack Burke Jr.268−163 strokesUnited States Dow Finsterwald United States Art Wall Jr.25,0003,500
1957United States Gardner Dickinson272−122 strokesUnited States George Bayer22,0002,800
Insurance City Open
1956United States Arnold Palmer274−10PlayoffUnited States Ted Kroll20,0004,000
1955United States Sam Snead269−157 strokesUnited States Fred Hawkins United States Mike Souchak20,0004,000
1954United States Tommy Bolt271−13PlayoffUnited States Earl Stewart15,0002,500
1953United States Bob Toski269−151 strokeAustralia Jim Ferrier15,0002,400
1952United States Ted Kroll273−114 strokesUnited States Lawson Little United States Skee Riegel United States Earl Stewart15,0002,400

Note: Green highlight indicates scoring records. Sources:

Highlights

  • 1952: Ted Kroll wins the inaugural tournament. He beats Lawson Little, Skee Riegel, and Earl Stewart by four shots.
  • 1955: Amateur Bill Whedon becomes the first player in PGA Tour history to record two holes-in-one in the same round.
  • 1956: Arnold Palmer makes the Insurance City Open his first United States based PGA Tour victory by beating Ted Kroll in a playoff. Afterwards Palmer said "Ted is a great guy—he even gave me the putter that beat him."
  • 1962: Bob Goalby defeats Art Wall Jr. on the seventh hole of a sudden death playoff after Wall misses an 18-inch putt for par on the 72nd hole.
  • 1967: African American golfer Charlie Sifford wins his first PGA Tour event. He beats Steve Oppermann by one shot.
  • 1968: Billy Casper becomes the tournament's first three-time winner. He beats Bruce Crampton by three shots.
  • 1972: Lee Trevino defeats Lee Elder in a sudden death playoff. If Elder had won, he would have become qualified for The Masters.
  • 1973: Billy Casper shoots a final round 64 to win for the fourth time at Hartford. He beats Bruce Devlin by one shot.
  • 1974: Dave Stockton wins by four shots over Raymond Floyd. After the tournament, Stockton gets a congratulatory call from then President Gerald Ford. Stockton also arranges to donate his entire $40,000 winnings check to charity.
  • 1977: Billy Kratzert beats Grier Jones and Larry Nelson by three shots. Two years earlier, Kratzert had quit golf and gone to work as a forklift operator.
  • 1981: Ninety-one players made the 36-hole cut, a PGA Tour record.
  • 1982: Tim Norris sets tournament records for aggregate (259) scoring and under par (−25) as he wins by six shots over Hubert Green and Raymond Floyd.
  • 1986: Mac O'Grady shoots a final round 62 to catch Roger Maltbie, then defeats him on the first hole of sudden death.
  • 1989: Paul Azinger chips it in on the 72nd hole to beat Wayne Levi by one shot.
  • 1992: Lanny Wadkins, who had last played in Hartford in 1978, shoots a final round 65 to win by two shots over Dan Forsman, Nick Price, and Donnie Hammond.
  • 2000: Notah Begay III wins for the second week in succession after he makes birdie on the 72nd hole to edge Mark Calcavecchia by one shot.
  • 2002: Phil Mickelson becomes the first winner to successfully defend his title. He beats Jonathan Kaye and Davis Love III by one shot.
  • 2003: Nineteen years after his first triumph in Hartford, Peter Jacobsen wins again, beating Chris Riley. Jacobsen's $720,000 winner's check was ten times what he earned in 1984. The tournament was also notable when Suzy Whaley became the first woman in 58 years to play in a PGA Tour event, though her appearance was controversial after playing from shorter tees during her qualifying tournament, the Connecticut PGA Championship.
  • 2011: Patrick Cantlay, an amateur golfer from UCLA, set a course-record of 10-under 60, the lowest round ever shot on the PGA Tour by an amateur.
  • 2014: Kevin Streelman birdies the last seven holes in the final round, a PGA Tour record for an event winner.
  • 2016: Jim Furyk shot a 12-under-par 58 in the final round, becoming the first player to shoot 58 in a PGA Tour event.
  • 2017: Jordan Spieth wins in a playoff against Daniel Berger by holing his bunker shot for birdie on the first playoff hole. Berger had a chance to advance the playoff, but missed his long birdie putt.
  • 2021: Harris English wins a sudden-death playoff against Kramer Hickok on the 8th hole, a playoff which tied for the second longest sudden-death playoff in PGA Tour history.
  • 2024: In the third round, Cameron Young shot a 59, making the Travelers Championship the first PGA Tour event with multiple sub-60 rounds. In the final round, Scottie Scheffler defeated Tom Kim in a sudden-death playoff, becoming the sixth player in PGA Tour history to win six Tour events before July.

External links

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