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CROMWELL, Conn. — One year after Keegan Bradley thrilled New England fans with a playoff win over Tommy Fleetwood, the Travelers Championship wasted little time reminding everyone why TPC River Highlands has become one of the PGA Tour’s favorite birdie-fests.
Eric Cole fired a bogey-free, 7-under 63 to grab the early lead Thursday morning, while Nico Echavarria and Ben Griffin shot 64, and veterans Patrick Cantlay and Brandt Snedeker shot 65.
Cole’s round could have been even lower. He walked off the 18th green disappointed after narrowly missing a 10-foot birdie putt.
“I definitely wasn’t bummed out with the round,” Cole said when he was asked whether he has ever been disappointed with a 63. “I was just bummed that that one didn’t break like I thought. But it’s a long tournament and stuff like that happens.”
Playing in calm morning conditions after several days of rain softened TPC River Highlands, Cole said players were presented with plenty of scoring opportunities.
“We had really good conditions to start the day, limited wind, greens were pretty soft, so there were birdies to be made out there,” he said.
Cole identified the closing stretch as where players can really make a move.
“From 13 in is really where you can kind of score,” he said, noting the stretch features a reachable par 5, the drivable 15th, and several wedge opportunities.
Cantlay knows that as well as anyone.
“I have a lot of good memories around here,” said the 33-year-old Cantlay. “It’s just been so great to see how Travelers has turned this into one of the best events on Tour. I talk to all the guys and this is always one of their favorite stops.”
Cantlay first played this event as a 19-year-old amateur after getting a sponsor exemption and shot a Saturday 60 that put him in contention for a win. A year later, he turned professional at the Travelers Championship.
This season, he believes his game is trending in the right direction after a slow start to the season.
“Golf’s a funny game. A couple weeks can make the whole season,” he said. “We’re coming into a big stretch of golf, so it’s a good time to start playing well.”
By late afternoon, the leaderboard already reflected what has become the Travelers Championship’s identity. Scores in the mid-60s were plentiful, birdies were available all over course, and with three rounds still to play, another shootout appears to be taking shape at TPC River Highlands.
David Dusek is a senior writer at Golfweek covering equipment.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Eric Cole leads Travelers Championship 2026 after opening-round 63
Continue reading...
Eric Cole fired a bogey-free, 7-under 63 to grab the early lead Thursday morning, while Nico Echavarria and Ben Griffin shot 64, and veterans Patrick Cantlay and Brandt Snedeker shot 65.
Cole’s round could have been even lower. He walked off the 18th green disappointed after narrowly missing a 10-foot birdie putt.
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“I definitely wasn’t bummed out with the round,” Cole said when he was asked whether he has ever been disappointed with a 63. “I was just bummed that that one didn’t break like I thought. But it’s a long tournament and stuff like that happens.”
Playing in calm morning conditions after several days of rain softened TPC River Highlands, Cole said players were presented with plenty of scoring opportunities.
“We had really good conditions to start the day, limited wind, greens were pretty soft, so there were birdies to be made out there,” he said.
Cole identified the closing stretch as where players can really make a move.
“From 13 in is really where you can kind of score,” he said, noting the stretch features a reachable par 5, the drivable 15th, and several wedge opportunities.
You must be registered for see images attach
Cantlay knows that as well as anyone.
“I have a lot of good memories around here,” said the 33-year-old Cantlay. “It’s just been so great to see how Travelers has turned this into one of the best events on Tour. I talk to all the guys and this is always one of their favorite stops.”
Cantlay first played this event as a 19-year-old amateur after getting a sponsor exemption and shot a Saturday 60 that put him in contention for a win. A year later, he turned professional at the Travelers Championship.
This season, he believes his game is trending in the right direction after a slow start to the season.
“Golf’s a funny game. A couple weeks can make the whole season,” he said. “We’re coming into a big stretch of golf, so it’s a good time to start playing well.”
By late afternoon, the leaderboard already reflected what has become the Travelers Championship’s identity. Scores in the mid-60s were plentiful, birdies were available all over course, and with three rounds still to play, another shootout appears to be taking shape at TPC River Highlands.
David Dusek is a senior writer at Golfweek covering equipment.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Eric Cole leads Travelers Championship 2026 after opening-round 63
Continue reading...
