Stacking the field

Rose, Finau and Casey all returning to play in Cromwell

The Travelers Championship continued to solidify its field on Monday, adding three more golfers, including former U.S. Open champion Justin Rose.

Also returning to play TPC River Highlands in Cromwell are Tony Finau and Paul Casey, ranked 16 and 24th in the world, respectively.

Rose, 39, won his only major championship at the 2013 U.S. Open. He came to the Travelers the following week and finished tied for 13th place. That was his last of nine appearances at the tournament.

Rose is currently ranked 14th in the world. He was ranked No. 1 five different times in his career, the longest stretch for two months in 2019. The gold medalist at the 2016 Olympic Games, Rose has three top-10 finishes at the Travelers Championship.

“We have a great relationship with Justin. We talk to him every year,” Travelers tournament director Nathan Grube said. “There was never a doubt, never a question that (Rose would come after winning the U.S. Open). Your life changes (after winning a major) and it was awesome to have Justin come.”

This will be Finau’s fifth time playing in Cromwell. He has three top-10 finishes in nine starts this season.

Casey has finished second twice at the Travelers — both times to Bubba Watson in 2015 and 2018, respectively. The three-time PGA Tour winner also has finished tied for fifth twice. This will be Casey’s sixth straight appearance at the Travelers.

In addition, Kevin Na told CBS Sports on Sunday that he intends to play the first three events when the PGA Tour resumes play on Thursday after the COVID-19 pandemic ceased play in March. Travelers is the third event June 25-28 and Na is ranked 30th in the world.

The tournament now has eight players ranked in the world’s top 16 and Grube said he expects another player announcement later this week.

“We are ecstatic to be able to have professional golf here in a couple of weeks.” Grube said.

The pandemic has led the Travelers to be a TV-only event this year. No fans will be allowed on site.

The top five golfers in the world rankings already committed are No. 1 Rory McIlroy, No. 3 Brooks Koepka, No. 4 Justin Thomas and both Patrick Reed and Patrick Cantlay tied for the seventh spot.

Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press Justin Rose, of England, waves after his putt on the eighth hole during the second round of the 2019 U.S. Open last June.

Stacy Revere / Getty Images Paul Casey of England hits his tee shot at the St. Jude Invitational last July.

Gregory Vasil / For Hearst Connecticut Media Tony Finau hits a tee shot during the opening round of the 2019 Travelers.