Koepka a Travelers man
World No. 3, four-time major champion gives tourney its first marquee commitment since coronavirus shutdown
The third-ranked golfer in the world, Brooks Koepka, on Thursday became the first prominent PGA Tour pro to commit to play in the 2020 Travelers Championship since the coronavirus pandemic suspended play in March.
Koepka, 30, a seven-time winner on tour, surged to the top of Official World Golf Ranking during a dominant stretch in which he captured all four of his major titles with consecutive wins at both the U.S. Open (2017-18) and the PGA Championship (201819). He joins current No. 1 Rory McIlroy, who also owns four major titles, on a list of five top 10 players headed to Cromwell for this year’s TV-only event beginning on June 25.
In four starts at the Travelers, Koepka’s best finish came in 2016 when he tied for ninth.
“Brooks has a reputation for consistent success, especially in the biggest events and major championships,” tournament director
Nathan Grube said in a release. “He’s played at such a high level, and we’re thrilled to have him compete at TPC River Highlands next month.”
Koepka, who’s among the longest hitters on tour, has a reputation for taming some of the toughest courses in the world. He was the first player to repeat at the U.S. Open since Curtis Strange in 1989, and his most recent major championship victory came at the fearsome Bethpage Black Course on Long Island in May 2019. A native of West Palm Beach, Fla., who went on to play collegiately at Florida State, Koepka has been a member of two Ryder Cup teams and was named the tour’s player of the year in 2018.
“It will be great to watch Brooks play at the Travelers Championship this year,” said Andy Bessette, executive vice president and chief administrative officer at the Travelers. “Our goal every year, in addition to raising money for charity, is welcoming the world’s best players to Connecticut. Brooks is a wonderful addition to our already solid player field.”
The others to commit early include three-time winner Bubba Watson, Justin Thomas (No. 4 in the world), Patrick Reed and Patrick Cantlay (tied at No. 7). The 2020 event will be shut off to spectators but will be broadcast on the Golf Channel and CBS.