Following on from the monumental challenge of the U.S. Open, the game’s biggest stars are now battling it out at the The Travelers Championship and so we take a look at all the biggest plot lines that are currently unfoldingScottie Scheffler has claimed he prefers playing on tough courses(Image: Getty Images)
The Travelers Championship is now underway, and with it comes a new batch of drama from the golf scene. After last weekend’s U.S. Open presented a stern challenge to many of the game’s top stars, with the Oakmont Country Club’s famously difficult course posing all sorts of unwanted questions, all focus is now on the TPC River Highlands.
While U.S. Open winner J.J Spaun is currently struggling in Connecticut, some of the game’s well-known names looked to have turned on the style for the event.
Rory Mcilroy, fresh off a tough time at Oakmont, has admitted he’s trying to play his way back into form at the Travelers. Scottie Scheffler is currently in contention to win the tournament, but has spoken of his dislike of the course.
And while Colin Morikawa has taken to drastic lengths to win the PGA competition, Jordan Spieth faced a disappointing first, and last, day. Here we take a look at all the latest golf news.
Jordan Spieth misses out
Spieth was forced to pull out of the Travelers Championship mid-round due to a persistent neck and upper back injury. Thursday saw the 31-year-old’s first career withdrawal in an incredible 297 PGA Tour starts.
The injury occured on the range prior to tee-off, and while the U.S. star powered through for 12 holes, he was ultimately forced to listen to his body and call it a day.
Jordan Spieth had to withdraw from a PGA Tour event for the first time(Image: Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
Despite attempts to ease his discomfort, including treatment and a massage gun, Spieth couldn’t shake it off. “I just can’t do it man,” he said. “I just can’t finish a backswing.”
Scottie Scheffler’s put-down
Scheffler wasn’t shy about discussing what he doesn’t like about the TPC River Highlands, that’s currently hosting the Travelers Championship.
Asked if he looked forward to seeing a course that doesn’t have this much rough on the side of the fairway, the world No. 1, and 2024 Travelers champion, was emphatic in his response.
“No. I mean, with the way I play golf, the more rough typically is going to be better for me. I hit a lot of fairways, and a course like Oakmont I thought suited me really well just in terms of — good ball-striking was going to be rewarded there for sure. I just wasn’t able to do it,” he said.
“I’ve always had a preference for the tougher tests that we have. That’s always been my preference since I was a young kid. I like the challenge of playing difficult golf courses, and I like the challenge of playing against really good fields, as well.”
However, Scheffler doesn’t appear to be struggling so far, as at the time of writing he is tied for first place with Austin Eckroat on eight under.
McIlroy’s three-word remark
McIlroy brazenly insisted “there’s no point” focusing on winning the Travelers this weekend as he looks to place a greater importance on getting back into top form.
It’s been a difficult few months for the Northern Irish superstar since winning the Masters in April. Disappointments at the RBC Canadian Open and the PGA Championship preceded a frustrating time at last weekend’s U.S. Open, where the notorious Oakmont Country Club fairway caused McIlroy to see red on several occasions.
Rory McIlroy talked about hitting his best form at the Travelers(Image: Getty Images)
However, the 36-year-old posted a stellar bogey-free start at the Travelers, sinking several birdies as he worked his way to T3. Despite not wishing to speak to the media over the last few competitions, McIlroy was happy to open up on how he’s solely focusing on playing his way back into form.
“Yeah, it was good,” he said on his opening day in Connecticut. “I said yesterday, this is a nice tonic compared to last week in terms of it’s a slightly more benign golf course and the penalty for missing isn’t quite as severe.
“I just want to see some good golf and see some better shots. I think if you concentrate on that and you’re concentrating on your quality of golf and concentrating on just trying to play to the best of your ability, the result will take care of itself.
Drastic tactic to win $3.6M
Collin Morikawa began his 2025 Travelers with a 3-under 67, tying for 15th. Yet fans couldn’t help but notice the star’s ever-changing glove routine during the first round, wearing it for some holes and going without for others.
Collin Morikawa has experimented playing with and without gloves lately(Image: Getty Images)
The two-time major winner revealed on Thursday that he’s been experimenting in a bid to claim the perfect feel. He now looks to claim the $3.6 million purse, that’s an offer to the winner, using the unique tactic.
“Look, our hands are what make us great,” Morikawa said. “There’s a feeling element to this, and for some reason, going without the glove helped this week. (The) problem is it’s really hot and it’s sweaty.
“Look, we’re crazy. Honestly, we’re crazy because we try a lot of things. But that’s what makes us really good; we’re trying to find the little things.”
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