Though the pros won’t hit their first official tournament golf shots until Thursday, the Travelers Championship in Cromwell officially tees off Monday with an opening ceremony and a pro-am tournament.
Among other tournaments and charitable events during the week: Wednesday will feature a celebrity pro-am that will include Today Show host Matt Lauer, comedian George Lopez, NBA player Ray Allen, professional skateboarder Ryan Sheckler, and UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma and former men’s coach Jim Calhoun.
Tournament play begins Thursday morning, with play continuing through Sunday’s championship round.
Top players playing in the tournament, many of them fresh off the U.S. Open, which concluded Sunday in Washington, include Louis Oosthuizen — who tied for second place at the U.S. Open behind champion Jordan Spieth — defending Travelers champion Kevin Streelman, Sergio Garcia, Brandt Snedeker, Patrick Reed, Ernie Els, Zach Johnson and Bubba Watson.
The Golf Channel reported early Monday that Jason Day, who managed to finish tied for ninth in the U.S. Open after battling vertigo, has withdrawn from the Travelers Championship.