Travelers preview: Stars gunning for big purse in Connecticut

The PGA TOUR's cross-continent adventure continues this week in Connecticut, where the Travelers Championship kicks off only four days after the U.S. Open wrapped some 3,000 miles away at Los Angeles Country Club.

Anyone who made the cut is likely exhausted from the mental grind that is associated with a major, but the Travelers' designated status and a $20-million purse make this event a must-play.

Eight of the top-10 golfers in the world are in the field, including defending champion Xander Schauffele and last week's runner-up Rory McIlroy. Wyndham Clark's at No. 13 in the Official World Golf Ranking after his U.S. Open victory, and the 29-year-old will look to build on his success.

When: June 22-25
Where: TPC River Highlands, Cromwell, Connecticut

How to watch (ET)

Last year's result

Last year's event ended dramatically, with an incredible three-shot swing on the final hole that decided the championship. Sahith Theegala took a one-stroke lead with an outstanding birdie on 17 but immediately found trouble in a fairway bunker off the 18th tee. He took two shots to get out and eventually double-bogeyed the hole to open the door for Schauffele to take advantage.

The veteran closed it out in style, sticking his approach on No. 18 to three feet for the easy birdie to secure his sixth career PGA TOUR win. His 19-under was the lowest score in the tournament's last 11 years.

Recent winners

2022: Xander Schauffele
2021: Harris English
2020: Dustin Johnson
2019: Chez Reavie
2018: Bubba Watson
2017: Jordan Spieth
2016: Russell Knox
2015: Bubba Watson

Marquee/featured groups

Round 1

Group: Patrick Cantlay, Harris English, Sahith Theegala
Time: 7:15 a.m. ET

Group: Xander Schauffele, Keegan Bradley, Emiliano Grillo
Time: 7:25 a.m. ET

Group: Wyndham Clark, Justin Thomas, Max Homa
Time: 7:35 a.m. ET

Round 2

Group: Matthew Fitzpatrick, Collin Morikawa, Rickie Fowler
Time: 7:15 a.m. ET

Group: Jon Rahm, Scottie Scheffler, Tony Finau
Time: 7:25 a.m. ET

Group: Rory McIlroy, Viktor Hovland, Tom Kim
Time: 7:35 a.m. ET

Three reasons to watch

The long game

Several contestants played the U.S. Open last week, and many - including McIlroy - are finishing off a stretch of four straight tournaments. It'll be interesting to see how the players handle the journey from L.A., considering last year's tourney was a short jaunt over from the Country Club in Boston. McIlroy, Clark, Scheffler, and Fowler should especially be gassed after they battled for the title Sunday.

Quirky course

At just over 6,800 yards, TPC River Highlands' layout is one of the shortest on the TOUR - but also one of the most entertaining to watch. In usual Pete Dye fashion, the design can drive players mad. There's a very narrow margin for error on many holes: The closing stretch features plenty of danger on the short par-4 15th, the electric par-3 16th, and the difficult par-4 17th, with water in play on all three holes. But, while the course can be challenging, there are certainly birdies to be had. Jim Furyk shot the PGA TOUR's lowest-ever round at this venue with a sizzling 12-under 58.

Young talent

The Travelers has a reputation for giving younger players a chance, and this year is no different. Former college superstars Sam Bennett and Ludvig Aberg will tee off in their fourth and second professional tournaments, respectively, while Michael Thorbjornsen returns to the course after challenging for the title and eventually finishing in fourth place last year.

Betting odds

Betting Preview: Who can handle jet lag, U.S. Open hangover?

Scottie Scheffler +650
Jon Rahm +1,000
Rory McIlroy +1,000
Patrick Cantlay +1,200
Xander Schauffele +1,400
Viktor Hovland +2,000
Collin Morikawa +2,200
Tom Kim +2,800
Tony Finau +2,800
Cameron Young +3,300
Matthew Fitzpatrick +3,300
Max Homa +3,300
Rickie Fowler +3,300
Tommy Fleetwood +3,300
Hideki Matsuyama +3,500
Jason Day +3,500
Justin Thomas +4,000
Wyndham Clark +4,000

(Odds courtesy theScore Bet)