Scottie Scheffler belt mishap preceded 64
Scott Alexander Scheffler entered the 2026 Travelers Championship as world No. 1 at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut, where the PGA Tour listed 72 players.
Before Thursday’s opening round, Scheffler realized on the practice range that he had forgotten his belt. Sam Burns drove him back to their nearby rental house before play began.
Sam Burns made the quick assist
Sam Burns played with Scheffler in the opening round, so the timing mattered before their start. PGA Tour coverage said Burns drove Scheffler back to retrieve the missing belt.
Burns and Scheffler already had a long friendship before the Travelers Championship. The report said Burns served as best man at Scheffler’s wedding, adding context to the favor.
TPC River Highlands eased the mistake
Scheffler said the rental house sat close enough to TPC River Highlands to make the mistake manageable. He called it an all-time week to forget the belt.
The Travelers Championship began Thursday, June 25, 2026, at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut, and finished Monday, June 29, after weather pushed the playoff back. Local coverage listed the layout at 6,844 yards and par 70 for a 72-player field.
Scheffler opened with a 64
Scheffler posted a bogey-free opening 64, six under par, after the pre-round detour. That score left him one stroke behind first-round leader Eric Cole at Cromwell.
The missing belt did not stop Scheffler from posting one of Thursday’s best rounds. Burns also started well, with the report placing him at four under after Round 1.
Eric Cole led after round one
Eric Cole held the first-round lead at the Travelers Championship after Thursday’s play in Cromwell. Scheffler’s 64 placed him in a six-way tie for second, one stroke behind.
Cole opened with a seven-under 63 at TPC River Highlands. Scheffler stayed near the lead before Friday’s scores changed the top of the board at the no-cut event.
Scheffler surged with Friday 60
Scheffler moved to the lead Friday with a second-round 60 at Cromwell. He reached 16 under through 36 holes after narrowly missing a birdie putt on the last green for 59.
His 10-under Friday card included 11 birdies and 1 early bogey. The round put him 2 strokes ahead of Viktor Hovland after the second round at TPC River Highlands.
Viktor Hovland answered with 61
Viktor Hovland kept pressure on Scheffler with a second-round 61 at TPC River Highlands. Hovland stood alone in second at 14 under, two strokes behind Scheffler.
Hovland’s Friday card included a 30 on the front nine and an eagle on the par-5 13th. The score also matched his career-low PGA Tour round.
Travelers purse reached $20 million
The 2026 Travelers Championship carried a $20 million purse at TPC River Highlands. Local coverage listed the winner’s share at $3.6 million for the final PGA Tour Signature Event.
The no-cut format kept all 72 players competing through four rounds. That structure gave every player weekend golf, unlike standard events that trim fields after Friday play.
Sam Burns stayed in the early mix
Burns began the week close to Scheffler on the course and near him on the leaderboard. The report listed Burns at four under after Thursday’s opening round in Cromwell.
The pairing mattered because Burns handled the practical problem before competing. His assist added a lighter moment to a $20 million event featuring several top-ranked players.
U.S. Open context followed players
Scheffler arrived after a tie for fourth at the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. He began the final round six strokes behind Wyndham Clark.
Burns carried his own U.S. Open context into Travelers week. He closed with 67, finished one stroke behind Clark, and continued seeking his first major title.
Scheffler praised the friendship
Scheffler said he and Burns had known each other a long time. He called the Thursday pairing fun because they had not competed together for quite a while.
He also said Burns played solidly in the opening round at TPC River Highlands. That comment kept the focus on their friendship, not only the missing belt before play.
Cromwell conditions changed scoring
Soft conditions helped scoring on Friday at TPC River Highlands. Heavy rain led to softer greens and lower numbers during the second round at the Cromwell course.
Scheffler said softer conditions and calmer wind made the course easier Friday morning. He added that firm greens and wind can make the layout tricky quickly at Cromwell.
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Viktor Hovland won in a playoff
Viktor Hovland and Scottie Scheffler finished regulation tied at 21 under after Sunday’s final round at TPC River Highlands. Hovland won the Travelers Championship on Monday morning with a birdie on the first playoff hole.
Scheffler’s forgotten belt became a small human detail inside a $20 million PGA Tour week. He opened with 64, followed with 60, and stayed in contention until the final playoff putt.
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Scottie Scheffler turned a forgotten belt into a 64, while Sam Burns added the friendship angle. What stood out more to you, the quick assist or the scoring run? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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