Tom Kim leads after the opening round at TPC River Highlands but the likes of Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele are well positioned.
Roddy ConsRoddyConsUpdate: Jun 21st, 2024 04:21 EDT0
JAMES GILBERTAFP
Tom Kim was the star of the show at TPC River Highlands in the opening round of the Travelers Championship 2024, the eighth and final Signature Event of this year’s PGA Tour.
As a result of the tournament’s elevated status, a whopping $3.6 million is on offer to the winner, making it one of the most lucrative of the season.
And Kim has got off to the best possible start as he looks to secure his biggest PGA Tour payday and the fourth title of his young career. The South Korean star posted eight birdies in a bogey-free 62, giving him a two-shot lead ahead of four men at the end of round one.
Round 1 Leaderboard @TravelersChamp ☂️1. @JoohyungKim0621 (-8)T2. @AkshayBhatia_1 (-6)T2. @RickieFowlerT2. @Kurt_KitayamaT2. @WillZalatorisT6. 7 players at 5-under
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 21, 2024
Fowler, Scheffler and Schauffele in the chasing pack
They are made of up fan favourite Rickie Fowler, Akshay Bhatia, Kurt Kitayama and Will Zalatoris, still searching for his best form after a lengthy injury layoff.
As for some of the “big” names, we don’t have to look too far down the leaderboard. World number one Scottie Scheffler and PGA champion Xander Schauffele, ranked third, are both one shot further back on -5, as is Tony Finau.
Wyndham Clark (World No. 5) and Collin Morikawa (World No. 7) opened with four-under par 66s, although the likes of Justin Thomas, Viktor Hovland (both -2) and Jordan Spieth (E) already have some ground to make up on the leader.
McIlroy and Woods big-name absentees at TPC River Highlands
Of course, neither Rory McIlroy nor Tiger Woods is taking part in the event, with the Northern Irishman taking some time off following his final-round collapse at last week’s US Open, and Woods not qualifying (although that could change next season).
Travelers Championship 2024: Round 2 tee times
Due to the threat of inclement weather in the afternoon, the PGA Tour has decided to move the original tee times for Friday’s second round forward by an hour.
pic.twitter.com/wQWvRtoipC
— TravelersChamp (@TravelersChamp) June 21, 2024
