Xander Schauffele is gearing up for a refreshing change of pace as he heads to New England for the Travelers Championship, following a challenging weekend at Shinnecock Hills for the U.S. Open.
This week, the PGA Tour takes a stop at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut. The Travelers Championship is well-loved by players and promises a more relaxed atmosphere compared to the grind of the third major of the golf season. Only three players managed to finish under par at the U.S. Open, a stark contrast to the Travelers Championship, where lower scores are more common. Notably, two years ago, Scottie Scheffler claimed victory after a playoff with a score of 22-under, and Jim Furyk once shot a remarkable 58 here.
“I didn’t even mind the rain today, to be honest,” said Schauffele, the 2022 Travelers winner, in a conversation with Fox News Digital after practice on Tuesday. Having finished T11 with +2 at Shinnecock, Schauffele is looking forward to the Travelers Championship, which boasts an inviting atmosphere for the two-time major winner.
Scores might not hit the minus-20s this weekend, as the course has seen tweaks that make it a bit tougher. Last year, Keegan Bradley won with a score of -15, and the possibility of another 58 is uncertain.
Schauffele appreciates the challenge, sharing his thoughts: “There’s plenty of tricky spots where you feel like you’re supposed to pick shots up and sometimes you don’t. But it is a fun course. If you can get in the zone, you can shoot seven or eight under, but there are days when even one over feels like losing ground.”
The adjustments to the course include narrowing certain areas and growing rough, providing a competitive landscape for players seeking a mid-teens win.
Beyond the course itself, the Travelers Championship is celebrated for its behind-the-scenes efforts that keep top players returning eagerly. As Schauffele explains, the hospitality extends from the quality of food to thoughtful touches like gifts at registration.
“Everything from the food, to the coffee on the range, to the coffee in the dining room, there’s a gift when you register for your wife and yourself,” Schauffele noted, “they go above and beyond to just make you feel warm and almost like family when you’re on property.”
The Travelers Championship commences on Thursday morning, with Schauffele paired alongside his Ryder Cup teammate Collin Morikawa at 10:55 a.m. ET.
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