Scottie Scheffler, the defending champion of the Travelers Championship, is once again a key player to watch at this year’s event held at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut. Coming off a challenging U.S. Open, Scheffler’s presence at the Travelers Championship marks a significant transition from one of the toughest tests in golf to a comparatively more forgiving course setup.
Scheffler, currently ranked World No. 1, demonstrated his exceptional form early in the tournament by carding an impressive 8-under-par 62 in the first round, sharing the lead with Austin Eckroat. His round featured a mix of precision and confidence, highlighted by a perfect 236-yard shot into the wind on the par-5 13th hole that set up a birdie. This performance underlined his ability to adapt quickly to the conditions, even as a strong breeze developed in the afternoon. Scheffler’s success at TPC River Highlands is not surprising, given his dominant victory last year, where he defeated Tom Kim in a playoff to claim the title.
The Travelers Championship is viewed as a welcome respite following the mental and physical grind of the U.S. Open, which was recently contested at the notoriously demanding Oakmont Country Club. While the rough at TPC River Highlands remains long, it is not as thick or punishing as Oakmont’s, making the penalty for errant shots less severe. This shift to a “slightly more benign golf course,” as described by Rory McIlroy, allows players like Scheffler to showcase their scoring ability in a birdie-friendly environment.
TPC River Highlands itself is a par-70 course playing to 6,844 yards, making it one of the shortest on the PGA Tour. The course features a strategic layout with two par 5s, four par 3s, and twelve par 4s, demanding precise positional play rather than sheer power. The finishing hole, a challenging par-4 with a difficult uphill approach, tests players’ nerves and shot-making skills. The course rewards accuracy and smart decision-making, attributes that align well with Scheffler’s game.
The Travelers Championship is a signature event with no cut, featuring a field of 72 players, including 47 of the world’s top 50 golfers and the leaders of the FedEx Cup standings. The winner earns a two-season PGA Tour exemption and 700 FedEx Cup points, making it a highly coveted title. The event’s format involves 72 holes with pairings based on scores after the first two rounds, culminating in a sudden-death playoff if necessary.
Scheffler enters the tournament as the favorite, backed by a strong season that includes multiple wins such as The CJ Cup, Byron Nelson, and the PGA Championship. Although his form dipped slightly at the U.S. Open, where he finished tied for seventh, his overall momentum and confidence remain high. His ability to transition from the rigorous demands of a major to the more forgiving conditions at TPC River Highlands positions him as a frontrunner to defend his title successfully.
In summary,
Scottie Scheffler’s role at the 2025 Travelers Championship is pivotal. As the defending champion and World No. 1, he exemplifies the shift from the toughest PGA Tour challenge—the U.S. Open—to a course setup that encourages aggressive scoring and strategic play. His early performance and past success at TPC River Highlands make him a player to watch closely as the tournament unfolds