The emotions poured out of a fist-pumping Scottie Scheffler as his ball disappeared into the hole and ignited the large crowd packed around TPC River Highlands’ 18th green. The sun had nearly set, but it was impossible not to hear what sounded like a winning moment at a tournament that has produced some memorable ones.
Only this Travelers Championship isn’t over.
Scheffler’s 8-foot par was to tie Viktor Hovland at 21 under and force a two-man playoff that will begin at 9 a.m. ET Monday on Golf Channel thanks to a 83-minute rain delay that occurred with the leaders about midway through their back nine.
“It’s more fun when you’re making the ones to win, but to keep yourself in it is also nice,” Scheffler said. “I live another day.”
This week started with the PGA Tour revealing seismic changes to its competitive model, most notably the league moving to a two-tiered system in 2028 with the top level featuring about a dozen and a half events outside of the majors and playoffs that, if CEO Brian Rolapp gets his wish, will all have the feel of a Players Championship. It continued with the Travelers shaking off any perceived U.S. Open hangover and bolstering its case to remain among the Tour’s signature stops.
Sure, the throng of Norwegians in town for the World Cup – all dressed in matching jerseys – added to the energy level, especially with their countryman Hovland playing his way to the 54-hole lead. But Scheffler beginning Sunday a shot back and several other major winners in the mix, including Collin Morikawa, Matt Fitzpatrick and last week’s champ at Shinnecock, Wyndham Clark, didn’t hurt either.
The weather delay struck with the final pairing of Hovland and Scheffler on the 14th hole. Hovland had just started what would be a three-birdie run, at Nos. 13-15, following a rocky start to the day; he bogeyed four of his first 10 holes. Scheffler rolled in a 4-footer for birdie at the par-5 13th to keep his one-shot advantage.
“I just couldn’t quite get a flow in,” Hovland said. “So, it was nice to just get completely off the golf course and reset, and I felt a lot better coming back. Sometimes that’s kind of all you need.”
When play resumed at 7:20 p.m., Hovland spun a pitching wedge to 15 feet and converted the birdie putt at No. 14 before pitching to 3 feet at No. 15 for another birdie that tied Scheffler, who had to scramble for pars at Nos. 14 and 15. On the day, Scheffler, who didn’t record a three-putt in 72 holes of regulation, made four par saves from 7 to 9 feet, including his extender at the last.
More golf, please! The final signature event of the season comes down to a Monday playoff at TPC River Highlands, where Scottie Scheffler and Viktor Hovland face off for the biggest slice of the Travelers Championship’s $20 million purse.
“Coming out after the delay I felt like I hit some good shots,” said Scheffler, who shot 2-under 68 on Sunday. “I just, you know, conditions were different, it was hard to predict how the ball was going to come out of the grass, it was pretty wet out there. Then late it got dark pretty quick.”
Morikawa, who closed in 61, finished third at 20 under while Fitzpatrick was another shot back in solo fourth. Clark and Akshay Bhatia tied for fifth at 18 under. They can all head home.
Scheffler and Hovland must return Monday morning to settle the score.
It remains to be seen how many fans can get off work to join them. If not, Golf Channel will have live coverage at 9 a.m. ET with “Golf Today” airing upon the conclusion of the playoff.
Travelers Championship – Final Rd Playoffs
Scottie Scheffler and Viktor Hovland go head-to-head in a thrilling playoff to close out the Travelers Championship.
