Koepka, Simpson, McDowell join deep field

The Travelers Championship has made one more big splash just before Friday’s deadline.

Brooks Koepka, the ninthranked player in the world, is returning to play the tournament June 21-24 at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell.

The reigning U.S. Open champion this week at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Koepka joins two other former Open winners who committed Monday afternoon: Webb Simpson and Graeme McDowell.

Koepka, 28, missed almost four months of action this year due to a left wrist injury. He returned at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in late April. His best finish since his return was a second at the Fort Worth Invitational last month.

This is Koepka’ third appearance at the Travelers, tying for ninth place in 2016.

Simpson, who won the U.S. Open in 2012, won the Players Championship last month and has four other top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour this season. He is ranked 21st in the world and will be making his ninth appearance at TPC River Highlands.

This is McDowell’s first time playing the Travelers. The 2010 U.S. Open champion, McDowell has played on the Ryder Cup team for Europe four times and is 172nd in the world rankings.

Koepka’s entry now gives the Travelers five players in the top 10 worldwide: The others are No. 2 Justin Thomas, No. 4 Jordan Spieth, No. 6 Rory McIlroy and No. 8 Jason Day.

Paul Casey (11), reigning Masters champion Patrick Reed (13), former winner Marc Leishman (14) and two-time winner Bubba Watson (19) are in the second 10 ahead of Simpson.