The Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands may not be the longest or most punishing venue on the calendar, but it remains one of the most talked about. With elite players regularly carding low scores, some critics have questioned whether the layout still presents a meaningful challenge.
Scheffler, however, pushed back on that notion ahead of this week’s Signature Event, saying River Highlands rewards well-struck shots and punishes mistakes.
“There’s opportunity out there, and there’s also punishment,” Scheffler said.
Scheffler’s Take
A recurring criticism is that River Highlands has become “easy” as bombers hit 300‑yard drives with modern clubs. Course managers have added tees–most notably the 15‑yard‑deeper tee on the par‑4 3rd–to increase the challenge.
“I think a proper test is good shots being rewarded and bad shots being punished,” Scheffler said. “That’s what we look for in golf courses.”
He cites closing holes 15 through 17 as prime examples.
“You look at the closing stretch: 15, if you hit a good shot, you’ve got a birdie opportunity. If you try to bail out right, you’re going to be in a bunker short right of the green and have a 40-yard bunker shot, a hard shot. 16, if you hit a good shot, you’re going to have a good look at birdie.
“If you bail out and go long, it’s a tough chip down the hill. 17, you hit the fairway, you have a chance to hit in there close to the pin. If you hit it in the left rough, you probably can’t get to the green.”
Scheffler, McIlroy, and Jordan Spieth delivered relaxed, insightful press conferences on Wednesday, showing no tension ahead of the tournament.
McIlroy and Scheffler both addressed whether someone might challenge Omar Uresti’s 31‑year record for nine consecutive birdies. Neither seemed convinced–Scheffler has yet to string together more than four during this season. He highlighted that even on “easy” courses, mental and precision demands remain high.
Defending Champion
Last year’s tournament ended dramatically when protesters interrupted play on 18 as Scheffler and Tom Kim battled. Ultimately, Scheffler clinched a playoff victory and defended his title, marking his sixth win before July. An extraordinary feat not seen since Arnold Palmer in 1962.
As a result, he enters 2025 as the betting favorite (+300 odds), reinforcing his dominance at River Highlands.
In Wednesday’s pro-am, three amateurs teed up alongside Scheffler. They were awestruck by his smooth, flawless play. One amateur captured the sentiment by saying playing nine with “the best golfer in the world” was “just amazing.” Scheffler stayed focused during play and stayed generous afterward–signing autographs for fans on the 18th.
Conditions, Strategy & Stakes
The 2025 Travelers Championship unfolds under a hot and humid Connecticut sky, with thunderstorms expected to roll through on Thursday, potentially complicating opening-round play. As the week progresses, weather conditions are forecast to stabilize, but heat and moisture will keep the greens soft and receptive–possibly leading to lower scores.
The course itself, TPC River Highlands, plays as a par-70 stretching 6,844 yards, with recent changes including a lengthened tee box on the par-4 3rd designed to challenge aggressive tee shots. Bentgrass fairways and Poa annua greens provide a consistent, fast-playing surface that rewards precision. The tournament follows a no-cut, 72-hole format featuring 72 elite players.
With a $20 million purse and $3.6 million going to the winner, the stakes are sky-high, and every shot carries weight–even on a layout some pros have labeled as “gettable.”
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