HARTFORD, Conn. — Xander Schauffele will return to the TPC River Highlands to defend his Travelers Championship title next June, joining what is expected to be a star-studded field.
“It’s always special having our defending champion in the player field because it brings back so many great memories,” tournament director Nathan Grube said. “Xander had a spectacular 2022 that included an amazing week at Travelers, and he’s continued to play at a very high level since then. Our fans enjoyed cheering him on to victory and they’ll be ready to welcome him back as a big part of the tournament family.”
Schauffele, 29, a San Diego native, is ranked sixth in the world. He joins top-ranked Rory McIlroy in committing to play in the Travelers early. As one of the PGA Tour’s new elevated tournaments, the Travelers will have a $20 million purse is expected to have at least 19 of the top 20 players in the PGA’s Player Impact Program, which ranks golfers by success and popularity.
Schauffele, playing in his fourth Travelers, birdied the final hole to finish with a final round 68, and 19-under for the tournament, two strokes ahead of J.T. Poston and Sahith Theegala and take the $1.5 million top prize. Schauffele later won the PGA’s team event in New Orleans with Patrick Cantlay and the Genesis Scottish Open in 2022. He won the clinching point for the U.S. in the Presidents Cup. He has 10 professional wins since turning pro in 2015, including seven on the PGA Tour.
“Xander is a tremendously talented player, and it was exciting to see him win the Travelers Championship,” said Andy Bessette, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at Travelers. “He’s also an extremely tough competitor, and when it got close last year, Xander played his best and finished with a birdie. I’m looking forward to seeing him back in Connecticut, and I’m sure he’ll be even more motivated to defend his title against an incredible field.”
The 2023 Travelers Championship is scheduled for June 19-25.
