World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler also tees it up in the tournament, returning to the site of a major recent breakthrough in 2024. While this season has not produced a deluge of victories for Scheffler, his consistency has been undeniable, with eight top-10 finishes in 13 starts entering tournament week. The depth in the field promises compelling rounds as players chase valuable FedExCup momentum and important WGC-style prestige ahead of the Ryder Cup season later this year.
Thursday begins with official pairing selections for the opening round at TPC River Highlands. Here is a look at the early tee times and groups for Thursday, reflecting the published schedule of the event:
– Tee 1 at 8:15 a.m.: Ryan Fox and Matt McCarty
– 8:25 a.m.: Tom Hoge and Jackson Suber
– 8:35 a.m.: Min Woo Lee and Nicolai Højgaard
– 8:45 a.m.: Lucas Glover and Eric Cole
– 8:55 a.m.: Ryan Gerard and Jake Knapp
– 9:05 a.m.: Tony Finau and Ben James
– 9:15 a.m.: Gary Woodland and Shane Lowry
– 9:25 a.m.: Robert MacIntyre and Patrick Cantlay
– 9:40 a.m.: Brandt Snedeker and Harry Hall
– 9:50 a.m.: Nico Echavarria and Hideki Matsuyama
– 10:00 a.m.: Ben Griffin and Ludvig Åberg
– 10:10 a.m.: Alex Fitzpatrick and Nick Taylor
– 10:20 a.m.: Aaron Rai and Maverick McNealy
– 10:30 a.m.: Russell Henley and Cameron Young
– 10:40 a.m.: Matt Fitzpatrick and Justin Thomas
– 10:55 a.m.: Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele
– 11:05 a.m.: Kristoffer Reitan and Brian Harman
– 11:15 a.m.: Jhonattan Vegas and Mark Hubbard
– 11:25 a.m.: Alex Noren and Alex Smalley
– 11:35 a.m.: Rickie Fowler and Jason Day
– 11:45 a.m.: Michael Kim and Sam Stevens
– 11:55 a.m.: Kurt Kitayama and Daniel Berger
– 12:10 p.m.: Brian Campbell and Taylor Pendrith
– 12:20 p.m.: Keith Mitchell and Ryo Hisatsune
– 12:30 p.m.: Akshay Bhatia and Adam Scott
– 12:40 p.m.: J.J. Spaun and Chris Gotterup
– 12:50 p.m.: Jacob Bridgeman and Sungjae Im
– 1:00 p.m.: J.T. Poston and Andrew Novak
– 1:10 p.m.: Sepp Straka and Harris English
– 1:25 p.m.: Bud Cauley and Viktor Hovland
– 1:35 p.m.: Justin Rose and Corey Conners
– 1:45 p.m.: Keegan Bradley and Jordan Spieth
– 1:55 p.m.: Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns
– 2:05 p.m.: Wyndham Clark and Tommy Fleetwood
– 2:15 p.m.: Sahith Theegala and Mac Meissner
– 2:25 p.m.: Si Woo Kim and Denny McCarthy
Defending champion Keegan Bradley headlines the afternoon groups after thrilling the New England faithful with his title defense last year. Bradley’s 2026 campaign has not reached the same heights as his breakthrough run, but he remains a veteran presence capable of seizing momentum as the Ryder Cup spotlight grows brighter later this year. He is scheduled to begin his day alongside Jordan Spieth in the 1:45 p.m. ET wave, a pairing that figures to draw plenty of attention.
Thursday’s marquee groups include:
– 10:30 a.m.: Russell Henley and Cameron Young
– 1:55 p.m.: Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns
– 2:05 p.m.: Wyndham Clark and Tommy Fleetwood
In addition to the afternoon focal points, several featured holes at TPC River Highlands—specifically Nos. 15 (par 4) and 16 (par 3)—are expected to play pivotal roles as players navigate this classic Connecticut layout under tournament conditions.
Fans looking to watch the action can catch the opening round on Golf Channel from midafternoon, with live streaming options available for early rounds through PGA Tour Live on ESPN+. The full television schedule spans Thursday through Sunday, ensuring consistent coverage as the field fights for position and a signature win to cap the 2026 season.
Travelers Championship week always features an atmosphere rich with strategy and prestige. Players will balance risk and reward on River Highlands’ tight corridors and short, strategic approaches, while fans will be treated to a blend of power-hitting, precision iron play, and deft short-game artistry. The event serves as a culminating showcase for some of the Tour’s top talents and a key milestone on the road toward year-end accolades and the Ryder Cup battle to come.
As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on how Clark, Scheffler, and the rest of the elite navigate the challenging layout, adapt to changing conditions, and seize opportunities when opportunities arise. With a deep field and a championship pedigree on display, the Travelers Championship promises to deliver memorable golf and a compelling narrative across the weekend.
