At the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut, Scottie Scheffler and Viktor Hovland will face off in a sudden-death playoff on Monday. This follows a weather delay that halted the tournament’s final round on Sunday.
Heavy rain and lightning caused a 90-minute pause during play at TPC River Highlands, leading officials to postpone the playoff to Monday morning at 9 a.m. This marks the first time since The Players Championship last year that a PGA Tour event has extended into an extra day.
Scottie Scheffler expressed determination after saving par on the 18th hole to join the playoff. “It’s more fun when you’re making the ones to win,” said Scheffler. He added that the challenge is also enjoyable as he gets another chance to compete the next day.
Both Scheffler and Hovland had potential birdie opportunities at the close of their rounds. Scheffler’s 30-foot putt rolled 8 feet past the hole, while Hovland’s 25-foot attempt narrowly missed. Hovland concluded with a 69, and Scheffler secured his par to finish with a 68, bringing them both to 21-under 259.
Collin Morikawa also contended briefly, tying for the lead after a round of 61. He finished one stroke behind at 20-under 260, after an impressive play where he emerged from the bunker on the 18th to make his ninth birdie of the day.
Viktor Hovland, who began Sunday with a one-shot lead over Scheffler, found himself trailing by two shots during the rain delay. Upon resuming, he quickly reduced the deficit to one with a 15-foot birdie putt on the 14th hole.
On the 15th hole, Scheffler’s pitch from the rough nearly ended in water but stayed in play. He skillfully chipped onto the green to save par, matching Hovland’s efforts to keep the scores level.
Notably, Scheffler missed a critical birdie putt on the 17th hole but recovered with a strong shot from the wet rough on the 18th to remain competitive.
PGA Tour officials decided there would not be enough daylight for the playoff to commence on Sunday, prompting the extension. During their rounds, Hovland managed three consecutive birdies after play resumed, taking advantage of altered course conditions due to the rain.
Reflecting on his performance, Hovland said, “I hit some good shots and then some bad shots. It was nice to completely get off the golf course and reset.”
Matt Fitzpatrick concluded in fourth place with a round of 64. U.S. Open Champion Wyndham Clark also performed impressively, placing fifth after a 65. Clark’s run was halted by a shot into the water on the 17th that led to a bogey.
The tournament’s climax awaits, with Scheffler and Hovland ready to compete for the title on Monday.
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