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Spieth commits to return to play at Travelers Championship for third year

Jordan Spieth and his caddy celebrate after his outstanding chip to win the 2017 Travelers Championship. (Graphic courtesy Travelers Championship)

HARTFORD, June 10 – Two years ago, Jordan Spieth hit a shot out of the bunker on the first playoff hole to win the Travelers Championship in a playoff before a raucous crowd at the TPC-River Highlands.

Spieth had led the tournament from the start but hard-charging Daniel Berger, who birdied three of his final six holes to force a playoff. Spieth’s initial drive on the 18th hole bounced off a tree and into the fairway. His second shot landed in the bunker.

Spieth popped it out of the bunker for the birdie and possible win. It bounced twice and rolled right into the cup. “Obviously, that was one for the ages,” he said after the win. “I don’t know if I’ll ever have a moment like that again.”

Spieth will have an opportunity to make some magic in Hartford again. The Travelers Championship announced that Spieth has committed to play in the tournament on June 20-23.

“Nobody will ever forget what Jordan accomplished two years ago at TPC River Highlands,” Nathan Grube, Travelers Championship Tournament Director. “The way he won — his reaction, and the reaction from the crowd around the 18th hole — shows the type of excitement he can bring to the event. We’re thrilled that he’ll be playing this year.”

Spieth is a three-time major champion, winning the Masters and U.S. Open in 2015, then the British Open Championship in 2017. He was named PGA Tour Rookie of the Year in 2013, then won the Tour’s Player of the Year honor in 2015, when he won five tournaments, plus the FedExCup title. Spieth spent 26 weeks as the No. 1 player in the Official World Golf Ranking.

In his last three starts, Spieth tied for third at the PGA Championship, then tied for eighth at the Charles Schwab Challenge and tied for seventh at the Memorial Tournament. This will be his third straight appearance at TPC River Highlands.

“Jordan authored one of the iconic moments in Travelers Championship and PGA Tour history,” said Andy Bessette, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at Travelers. “He’s a great friend of the tournament, he’s done great things at our event and the fans will be excited to hear that he’s coming back. His presence is a fantastic addition to what promises to be an amazing tournament week.”

Spieth, former No. 1 player in the world, joins a 2019 Travelers Championship field that features commitments from the current top-ranked player in the world, Brooks Koepka, along with Francesco Molinari (No. 6), Justin Thomas (No. 7), Patrick Cantlay (No. 8) and Bryson DeChambeau (No. 9).

Tony Finau (No. 14), Paul Casey (No. 15), Jason Day (No. 16), Tommy Fleetwood (No. 18), defending champion Bubba Watson (No. 20), 2012 Travelers Championship winner Marc Leishman (No. 21), Louis Oosthuizen (No. 22), Patrick Reed (No. 23) and two-time winner Phil Mickelson (No. 24).have also committed to play.

Fourteen players in the top 25 are committed to playing in Hartford, including five of the top 10.

For tickets and more information on this year’s tournament, visit www.TravelersChampionship.com.

Gerry deSimas, Jr., is the editor and founder of The Collinsville Press. He is an award-winning writer and has been covering sports in Connecticut and New England for more than 40 years. He was inducted into the New England High School Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2018.

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