A handful of U.S. Open champions, several well-known international players and a Connecticut native are in Cromwell this week for the Travelers Championship. The Celebrity Pro-Am precedes the Championship and will be held Wednesday. Actors, sports icons and Connecticut celebrities. Players include former football star Doug Flutie and UConn basketball coaches Geno Auriemma and Kevin Ollie.
The tournament will officially tee off Thursday, June 20.
According to the Travelers Championship website, 156 players will compete for the tournament’s $6.1 million purse, with the champion getting a $1.098 million cut.
Current U.S. Open champion Justin Rose and 2012 U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson will be in Cromwell alongside Fairfield native J.J. Henry, who won the championship in 2006. Henry has competed 12 years in a row.
Championship newcomer Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium has achieved international success and numerous victories in Europe, including the European Tour’s 2012 World Match Play Championship.
PGA Tour fan-favorite Rickie Fowler, 24, will be making his third appearance at the championship. Fowler joined the Tour in 2009 and has had tremendous career success in a short period of time.
Fowler has experienced one win and five second-place finishes, earning nearly $10 million.
