Travelers Championship 2018: Preview, favorites, how to watch on TV and online

Alec Brzezinski

Travelers Championship 2018: Preview, favorites, how to watch on TV and online image

Brooks Koepka fought off his challengers Sunday to claim his second consecutive U.S. Open title, and he's back in the field this week at the Travelers Championship.

Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Jason Day are also headed to Connecticut, where they will try to rebound from a poor showing at Shinnecock Hills.

The Travelers is located just under 100 miles from the site of last week's U.S. Open, which has helped the field. A number of big names have chosen to play this week, with valuable FedEx Cup point on the line.

The Course

TPC River Highlands, a 6,841 yards par 70, is among the shortest on Tour. The Pete Dye design, overlooking the Connecticut River, is known as an exciting challenge exemplified by Jim Furyk's PGA Tour-record 58. While low scores are available on this river course, it also boasts a number of difficult holes that should keep the world's best players guessing.

Defending Champion

Jordan Spieth had an eye for the spectacular, holing out from the green-side bunker on his first playoff hole with Daniel Berger to win in his first start at River Highlands. The win helped Spieth become just the second man since World War II to collect 10 Tour victories before turning 24, joining Tiger Woods (15 wins).

Favorites

It might be a little much to ask Koepka to contend after expelling all his energy last week to win the U.S. Open, but he's proven he can beat the odds. 

McIlroy, Day, Spieth and Justin Thomas will help bring in galleries, but none of them have been in top form this month. Day, McIlroy and Thomas all at least have wins on Tour this season, while Spieth has not finished inside the top 2.

Two-time tournament winner Bubba Watson and reigning Masters champion Patrick Reed are also in the field.

Sleepers

Marc Leishman seemingly always flies under the radar, but the Australian is ranked 16th in the world and has four top-9 finishes this season.

Jamie Lovemark and Kyle Stanley are long hitters who could take advantage of this course if their wedge games are in form.

Travelers Championship TV, streaming info

Dates: June 21-24

Location: Cromwell, Conn.

TV (all times ET):
Thursday: 3:30-6:30 p.m., Golf Channel
Friday: 3:30-6:30 p.m., Golf Channel
Saturday: 1-2:30 p.m., Golf Channel; 3-6 p.m., CBS
Sunday: 1-2:30 p.m., Golf Channel; 3-6 p.m., CBS

Streaming: fuboTV (7-day free trial)

Alec Brzezinski