PGA Tour heads east for the Travelers
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2010 Travelers Championship | Preview | 24 Jun 2010
The PGA Tour moves east this week to Hartford in Connecticut for the Travelers Championship at what is now its traditional home at the TPC River Highlands and many of those who fought their golfing hearts out on the other side of the country just a few days ago will go at it again.
The 49-year-old Kenny Perry is the defending champion, having won by three shots over David Toms and Paul Goydos and had a good enough tournament at Pebble Beach to believe that a successful defence is not beyond the realms of possibility. Perry has not contended in recent weeks but he seldom misses a cut and with several other good finishes over this layout he can do well again.
Padraig Harrington is likely to be the favourite given his position in world golf but he has played here only the once when he finished 54th in 2007. Harrington has been good but not great in recent weeks and has his work cut out against others in better form and with a better record over this layout.
Justin Rose returns to the scene of one of two very good finishes at this venue including a third place in 2005. Rose does not bring any baggage to this event from Pebble Beach as he failed to qualify despite his win at the Memorial the week prior. Being the fresh man in the field may be an advantage amongst the favourites.
Bo Van Pelt was in outstanding form leading into the US Open and played three of his four rounds well. The other, the third round, was a disastrous 82 but he recovered with the equal best round of the day (68) on Sunday and has recorded two top tens at this event in recent seasons.
Another player who could do well at longer odds is Ben Curtis who snuck into 14th position at the US Open and has played this event well in the past. Curtis has not won for four years on the PGA Tour but I would not be surprised if he goes close this week.
Vijay Singh has dropped out of the limelight of late but he has played well here and seems to be finding form again after injury.
There are 15 Australians in the field including Michael Sim, James Nitties, Jarrod Lyle, Aron Price, Aaron Baddeley, Adam Scott, Matt Jones, Nathan Green, Mathew Goggin, Cameron Percy, Greg Chalmers, Stuart Appleby, Rod Pampling, Steve Elkington and David Lutterus .
Appleby did best of those who played at Pebble Beach last week his final round of 70 an indication that things continue to get better for him.
