The Traveler’s Championship has been played in Cromwell, Connecticut since it was established in 1952. Played in June, the tournament has taken place the week following the U.S. Open for the last decade. Although it isn’t a major tournament event, the Traveler’s Championship has long been regarded as a top-tier PGA competition.
Due to sponsorship deals, the name of the tournament has changed during its history. Originally known as the Insurance City Open, the tournament’s name was changed to the Greater Harford Open from 1967 to 2003. Since 2007, the tournament has been referred to as the Traveler’s Championship following the Traveler’s insurance company’s acquisition of sponsorship rights.
Played at the TPC at River Highlands course, the Traveler’s Championship is a par 70 course. The TPC has been called one of the top 10 golf courses in the United States, and its lush fairways and plush greens make it one of the best locations for golfers and fans alike. The course was originally opened in 1928 as Middletown Golf Club. Over 50 years later, it was bought by the PGA and redesigned by famed course architect Pete Dye. When it reopened, it was given the TPC name.
The 2017 Traveler’s Championship purse was $6.8 million. Winner Jordan Spieth received a whopping $1.224m of the purse. Second place finisher Daniel Berger saw a large chunk as well. Berger received $734,000 for coming second. The prize funds show just why PGA golfers love to play in the tournament.
Thanks to the great course and large winner’s purse, the Traveler’s Championship is regularly regarded as a must play tournament for PGA’s best golfers.