Spieth to play Travelers for first time

World’s sixth-ranked player heading to Cromwell for first time

If there was any debate as to whether this year would be the best field the Travelers Championship has put together since taking over title sponsorship in 2007, that debate ended Thursday morning.

Jordan Spieth, the world’s sixthranked player, committed to the tournament Thursday morning for the first time. That’s three in the top six, joining No. 2 Rory McIlroy, also committed for the first time, and No. 3 Jason Day.

The tournament will be held June 22-25 at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell.

Travelers Championship Tournament Director Nathan Grube said the first inkling that Spieth might come was in speaking with Spieth’s agent, Jay Danzi, at the Masters.

“We stayed in touch and then we went to the Players (Championship, in May) and spoke with Jordan on the range,” Grube said. “After our talk, he started to walk away, then turned around and said, ‘Guys, I want you to know I’m strongly considering it.’ He will not mislead you.”

Grube said he received an email late Wednesday night that Spieth would be coming to play.

Spieth is only 23, but has already won nine times on the PGA Tour, including the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February. He won his two majors, the Masters and U.S. Open, in 2015, when he also won the Tour Championship, the FedExCup title and was the top-ranked player in the world.

McIlroy has missed several tournaments this season due to a back injury. His most recent withdrawals include the BMW Championship on the European Tour and the Memorial last week. He intends to play both the U.S. Open and the Travelers.

“We spoke to his agent this week. He still plans on playing the Trav-

elers. I don’t have any concerns about (McIlroy withdrawing),” Grube said.

Travelers also boasts Justin Thomas, a threetime winner on Tour this year and the 13thranked player, and No. 18 Patrick Reed, along with two-time champion Bubba Watson, Jim Furyk and former winners Marc Leishman and defending champion Russell Knox.

DARRON CUMMINGS — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Jordan Spieth watches his tee shot on the second hole during the second round of the Memorial golf tournament last Friday. Spieth committed to play in the Travelers Championship Thursday.