Blogs > Live from the TPC

Our New Haven Register sportswriters will be filing updates all week from the Travelers Championship at the TPC River Highlands course in Cromwell

Saturday, June 27, 2009

PLAY RESUMED AT 6:50 P.M., GOYDOS FINISHES IN LEAD

After a 58-minute rain delay, the third round resumed at at 6:50 p.m.
When the third round ended, Paul Goydos wound up as the sole leader at -16 heading into Sunday's final round. He shot -7 for a three-round total of 63-68-63-194.
Kenny Perry is next at -15 (61-68-66-195) and David Toms is third at -14 (65-65-66-196.

PLAY AT TRAVELERS ON HOLD DUE TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS

Oh that nasty Mother Nature.......
Play at the Travelers was suspended at 5:41 p.m. due an approaching severe thunderstorm and the entire course was evacuated for safety. A decision still has to be made whether play will resume today.

GOYDOS ON FIRE, SINKS 15-FOOTER TO GO TO -16

With the ball about 15 feet off the green at No. 16, Paul Goydos sunk the putt to move to -16 for a one-stroke lead over Kenny Perry. It is Goydos' fourth birdie in a row.
Through 15 holes Perry is at -15.

GOYDOS TAKES THE LEAD

Don't blink at the Travelers or you'll miss a lead change.
The hot Paul Goydos birdied No. 15 for his third birdie in a row to take sole possession of the lead at -15.
Perry holds at -14 through 14.

GOYDOS, WITTENBERG MAKING THEIR MOVE

Paul Goydos birdied the 14th hole for his second birdie in a row to move to a two-way tie with Kenny Perry for the lead at -14 each. Goydos is -5 for the third round and is about to tee off on 15 with Perry.
Casey Wittenberg has slowly moved up the leaderboard. He is -5 for the third round and is a shot off the lead with two holes to go. He is tied with John Merrick and David Toms for third at -13.

PERRY EXTENDS LEAD

Kenny Perry birdied the 12th hole to move to -15 overall (-4 in the third round) for a three-stroke lead.
Bo Van Pelt, Hunter Mahan, John Merrick, Paul Goydos and David Toms are in a five-way tie for second at -12.

PERRY TAKES TWO-STROKE LEAD

Kenny Perry just sunk a 12-foot putt for a birdie on the 11th hole to move to -3 for the third round and -14 overall to take a two-stroke lead.
John Merrick double-bogeyed the 12th hole to drop back to -11 overall. That gave Perry a two-stroke lead over Hunter Mahan and Paul Goydos, both at -12.

PERRY MOVES INTO TWO-WAY TIE FOR LEAD

Kenny Perry just sunk a 15-foot putt for birdie on the eighth hole to move to a two-waytie for first with John Merrick at -13 each.Perry is -2 for the third round and Merrick, on the 10th hole, is -5 for the round.
David Toms is next at -12 and Hunter Mahan, challenging the 9-under course record 61, is at -7 for the round and -11 overall.

MERRICK STILL MAINTAINS HIS LEAD

John Merrick is 5-under through eight holes and is still in first place at -13 overall. He is about to tee off on the ninth hole.

MAHAN HEATING UP

Hunter Mahan has been on a roll, moving to -7 in the third round through 11 holes. He started on the 10th tee and just hit his drive on the third hole. His big round has moved him to a three way tie for third at -11 with Paul Goydos and David Toms.

MERRICK MOVES TO -12

John Merrick missed a 9-foot putt for eagle on the sixth hole and ended up with a birdie to move into sole possession of first at -12. He's -4 for the third round and is about to tee off on the seventh hole.

PERRY BACK TO -11

Kenny Perry birdied the third hole to get back to -11 overall and is tied with John Merrick for the lead. Perry is even through three holes and Merrick is -3 through four holes.

PERRY BOGIES AT NO. 2

Kenny Perry bogeyed the second hole to fall back to -10, tied for second with Paul Goydos and David Toms, and giving John Merrick the sole lead early on.....

MERRICK MOVES INTO TIE WITH PERRY

John Merrick is on an early roll with three consecutive birdies........
He just birdied his third hole to go -3 for the third round. That places him at -11 overall and in a tie with Kenny Perry for the lead.
Perry made par on the first hole and is about to approach the green on No. 2.

HERE COMES MERRICK WITH A SOLID START

John Merrick is -2 through his first two holes in the third round and moves to -10 overall, just one stroke behind Perry who just teed off in the third round.

HEINTZ AND HENRY CREEPING CLOSER TO PERRY

Yale graduate Bob Heintz is -1 through eight holes and has moved to -6 overall. He started off the first tee.
Former Fairfield resident J.J. Henry is also posting low numbers and is at -2 through five holes. That places Henry, who started off the 10th tee and is on the 15th hole, at -6 overall.

WI AND CAMPBELL MAKING AN EARLY MOVE

Charlie Wi is -2 through five holes in the third round and is at -8, only three shots behind leader Kenny Perry.
Chad Campbell is -3 through six holes (on the 15th hole, started off the 10th tee) and has moved to -7 under overall.
Leader Kenny Perry (-11) is about to tee off the first tee.

THERE ARE 80 PLAYERS IN ALL WHO MADE THE CUT FOR THE THIRD ROUND

There were 80 players who made the cut after the second round at 3-under-par, the lowest cut of the 2009 season and the lowest since the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open (6-under-par).
Since more than 78 players made the cut, there will be an additional reduction of the field to 70 players and ties following the third round. Players eliminated will receive their appropriate share of the official prize money in accordance with their respective positions.

GOOD SATURDAY MORNING FROM A SUNNY TRAVELERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Weather reports are calling for some rain late this aftrernoon, but for now it's sunny and clear without a cloud in the sky.
The second round, halted at 4:25 p.m. on Friday due to a severe thunderstorm, was completed just after 10 a.m. today. The big story right now is that David Toms finished the second round at -5 and is 10-under overall, placing him one stroke behind leader Kenny Perry (-11).
"I'm happy with the way I ended up in the second round," Toms said. "I made a nice putt on my first hole on No. 5 for birdie and then finished up with a birdie on 9. So yeah, I played well this morning."
The third round pairings are out and the golfers (low 70 plus ties) just teed off at 11:10 off the first and 10th tee. Greg Chalmers-Ricky Barnes-Justin Leonard started the third round at the first tee and Rich Beem-Charles Warren-Bill Lunde started the third round off the 10th tee.
Connecticut favorite J.J. Henry (7 strokes back at -4) will tee off with Chris Stroud and Nick O'Hern at noon off the 10th tee. Leader Kenny Perry will tee off the first tee at 1:20 p.m. with David Toms and Ryan Moore (tied for third at -9 with Paul Goydos).

Friday, June 26, 2009

Concert Cancelled

The Groove Junkies' scheduled performance tonight following tournament play, is also cancelled.

Play Cancelled

Due to severe weather, Travelers officials cancelled play for the remainder of today. Play will resume at 8 a.m. tomorrow.

Play Suspended

Tournament play has been suspended due to severe approaching weather. Hail and winds up to 60 miles per hour are expected. For a weather update click here.

Knost Staying Consistent


Colt Knost is part of a five-way tie for third place, after shooting a 4-under in the first and second round.
Knost is competing for the first time since being the victim in a drunk-driving accident early this month.
"I could be in bed right now and not playing out here," Knost said, "So I feel very lucky to be playing this game for a living and that's the way I'm just going about it now."

Goydos and Toms Staying Close

Paul Goydos and David Toms are both at 8-under-par 70 through 10 holes, putting them both just three strokes behind leader Kenny Perry for the overall lead.
Ryan Moore, who is at 9-under, along with Michael Allen share the day's top score at 5-under.

VEGAS ODDS FAVOR PERRY

When it comes to betting odds in Las Vegas and Internet wagering sites, leader Kenny Perry (-11) is the current favorite to win the Travelers at 5-2. The next choice at 12-1 is Hunter Mahan (-4 with one hole played in the second round), David Toms is 15-1 (-6 overall after three holes played), Paul Goydos is 16-1 (-7 after three holes played) and Sergio Garcia is 20-1 (-4 after three holes played).
Yale alumnus Bob Heintz finished the second round at -5 overall and is 150-1 to win the Travelers.

Live Music at the Travelers

Following tournament play today, the Groove Junkies will perform at the Subway Fan Zone. The Colbys will perform Saturday following tournament play.

Travelers' Fan Guide

Of course there is plenty of golf to watch here at TPC River Highlands - weather pending of course - but what else is there to do?
Here's a list of what the Subway Fan Zone has to offer...

Apply for a PGA Mastercard.

Test your strength on the rock climbing wall.

Test your putting skills at the nine-hole miniature golf course or the Putting Challenge.

Visit the Connecticut Science Center.

Take a picture with the Fed Ex Cup or try out the new Tiger Woods PGA Tour '10 game for Nintendo's Wii.

Grab a free 96.5 TIC FM mix CD, McDonald's Mcafe or Nature Valley Granola Bar.

Get a firsthand look at the new GMC Hybrids.

Taste some Chalone Wine.

Enter to win Yankees, Mets or Red Sox tickets, an overnight stay at the Mohegan Sun or a Flip Video camcorder.

Hungry? Visit Crepe Express or the Fan Zone Grille for a $12 Crab Cake Sandwich. Then wash it down with a Ben and Jerry's strawberry-lemondade Travelers' Championship shake.

And don't forget to pick up a souvenir at the Travelers Merchandise booth.

PERRY ENDS DAY AT -11 OVERALL

Kenny Perry is in the media interview room and he can't say enough about how slow the greens were today. He ended up -2 for the second round and is the current leader at -11 overall.
"My long irons were nice but the greens were a lot slower today," Perry said. "It was a frustrating day on the green. I left quite a few putts short. When I thought I had the right speed it ended up being short."
The scores continue to go low and right now the cut would be at -3.

RAIN NOT AFFECTING PLAY, MOORE MAKING A MOVE

It's pouring at the Travelers but play continues without any stoppage so far.
Ryan Moore has had the best day so far and finishes the second round at -5. He is at -9 overall and is only two stroke behind leader Kenny Perry.

HEINTZ AT 6-UNDER


Yale alumnus Bob Heintz is at 6-under-par 70 through 12 holes in the second round. That puts him at 4-under for the tournament and he is tied for sixth place.

KELLY CREEPING CLOSER TO PERRY

It's 11:20 a.m. and University of Hartford grad Jerry Kelly is slowly creeping closer to leader Kenny Perry (still at -11).
Kelly ended up shooting a 5-under 65 in the first round on Thursday and is -7 overall through his first 13 holes today. He is -2 for the second round so far.

WEATHER UPDATE

Here's a look at the latest weather at TPC River Highlands.

GOOD MORNING! IT'S FRIDAY AT THE TRAVELERS - AS AMERICA MOURNS A PAIR OF ICONS.......

It's 10:45 a.m. and Kenny Perry, who tied the course record with a 9-under 61 in the first round on Thursday, continues to cruise in the second round on Friday. Through 11 holes he is -2 for the day and is -11 overall. In second place at -8 overall is Ryan Moore who is -4 today through 13 holes.
With so many low scores being shot at the Travelers the projected cut as of right now is at an impressive -2.
Also....much of the talk among the crowds along the 18th and ninth holes is the passing of music icon Michael Jackson and actress Farrah Fawcett on Thursday. A few people were wearing "Remember Michael Jackson" T-Shirts.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

TRAVELERS FIRST ROUND COMPLETE

The first round of the Travelers is complete.
The second round on Friday will begin off the first and 10th tees at 6:50 a.m. First-round leader Kenny Perry (61) will tee off the 10th tee at 7:42 a.m. and U.S. Open winner Lucas Glover will tee off right behind him off the 10th tee at 7:53 a.m.

PERRY TIES COURSE RECORD

Kenny Perry just ended his day in record fashion, coming away with a first-round score of 61 to tie the course record. He joins course record-holders Phil Mickelson, Scott Verplank and Kirk Triplett.
Despite the record day Perry only has a two-stroke lead. Tied at -7 for second place are Paul Goydos and Charles Warren who are both done for the day.
Aaron Watkins is on 16 at -5 with a shot to get close as well.

PERRY COULD TIE COURSE RECORD

Kenny Perry is at -9 through 16 holes and has the potential to tie or break the TPC River Highlands course record on the par 70 course. Phil Mickelson, Scott Verplank and Kirk Triplett hold the course record at 61.

GO PERRY, GO

Kenny Perry has taken sole possession of the top spot in the first round of the Travelers.
Perry is at -8 through 13 holes.
Right on his heels through 13 holes is Boo Weekley who is in a three-way tie for second at -7. He is tied with Paul Goydos and Charles Warren who are done for the day.

PERRY PICK PANNING OUT

In my gambling column last week I predicted Kenny Perry would win the Travelers Championship with former Fairfield resident J.J. Henry my second pick.
Perry, who has the talent to win any tournament he competes in, began his first round this afternoon. Through 11 holes he is in a three-way tie for the lead at -7.
Henry is at -4 (66).
Also at -7 are Paul Goydos and Charles Warren who are done for the day.
Colleague Joe Morelli's pre-tournament picks to win were Ben Curtis and Hunter Mahan. Curtis finished his first round at -2 (68) and Mahan is at -4 (66).

OUCH! STRATFORD'S BUSHKA SHOOTS A 75

John Bushka of Stratford had a tough first day, sitting at +5 by shooting a 75.
Bushka got a spot at the Travelers through a four-spot qualifier on Monday.

J.J. HENRY GETS AN EAGLE ON HIS FIRST HOLE

Former Fairfield resident J.J. Henry, who won the event in 2006, began his first round at the Travelers with a bang. He holed his second shot of the day for an eagle from 114 yards on the 434-yard par-4 first hole. Bo Van Pelt also eagled the hole to start his round from 129 yards away.

GLOVER EVEN PAR AFTER 5 HOLES

U.S. Open winner Lucas Glover began his first round play this afternoon and after five holes was at even par.
Glover is the first player to tee it up the week after winning the U.S. Open since 2003 when Jim Furyk won the U.S. Open and then finished tied for 22nd at the Buick Classic. Before that, Lee Janzen finished tied for third at the Western Open the week after winning the 1998 U.S. Open.

RIDINGS ACES THE 11TH HOLE

Tag Ridings finished his first round with 6-under 64 and the highlight of the round was a hole-in-one on the 11th hole. He aced the par-3 hole with a 9-iron. There were no hole-in-ones at last year's Travelers Championship.

TRAVELERS UPDATE 1:15 p.m.

A three-way tie for the lead has emerged with Paul Goydos, Charles Warren and Spencer Levin all at -7.
Goydos and Warren are done for the day and Levin is on his last hole at 18.
"The greens were unbelievable today," Warren said after his round. "I think the way the course is playing there will be low scores all week. I wouldn't be surprised if someone goes below -7 by the end of today."
Greg Chalmers and Tag Ridings, both done for the day, are tied for fourth at -6.

Chalmers Finishes at 6-under

Greg Chalmers birdied six of his last eight holes to finish the day strong at 6-under.
Paul Goydos, John Merrick, Tag Ridings and Charles Warren are also at 6-under.

Weather

Here's a look at today's weather at TPC River Highlands.

Thursday is Women's Day at the Travelers

In an effort to get women to embrace and enjoy the game of golf, today is Women's Day at the Travelers.
Events the rest of the day include a wine seminar by Chalone Vineyard Senior Winemaker Robert Cook from 11:30 a.m. to noon and again from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
There will also be a fashion show from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. presented by Debbie Wright, Project Closet and Damon Scott of 96.5 WTIC.
From 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the TPC Highlands practice facility, golf pro Suzy Whaley will be the featured guest at the Women's Golf Clinic presented by the ING New England Golf Classic. Professionals of the Duramed Futures Tour will be on hand to fine tune your swing.

Travelers: Four-way tie for lead at 11:30 a.m.

Thursday's opening round
It's early but as of 11:30 a.m. there was a four-way tie for first.
Ricky Barnes, who finished second at the recent U.S. Open, Brian Gay and John Merrick and Greg Chalmers were tied for the lead at 5-under. Chalmers was through 17 holes, Barnes was through 15 holes, Gay was through his 11th and Merrick was through 12.
After the four leaders there was a nine-way tie for fifth.
Live coverage of the tournament will begin at 3 p.m. today on the Golf Channel.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

TRAVELERS CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF GAME ONLINE

Can't get to the Travelers Championship this week?
Try the next best thing and compete against other players by playing the Travelers Championship online golf game at TravelersChampionshipChallenge.com. See if you have what it takes by tackling the TPC River Highlands most notable stretch of holes - 15 to 18 - which have been called "four of the most exciting finishing holes in a group anywhere in the world" by defending champion Stewart Cink.
How low can you score?

Allen Addresses Trade Rumors

After finishing his pro-am round in a group with PGA Tour member Woody Austin and ESPN's Karl Ravech, Ray Allen addressed the multiple trade rumors that have him and Rajon Rondo to (depending on who you believe) Detroit or Phoenix:

Does Allen see himself being a Celtic next season?

"What else would I see myself as? (If) I'm traded, I'll plan on being somewhere else. But right now, I'm a Celtic."

He has spoken with Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge, but received no assurances that he would remain in Boston.

"It's not about assurances. He has to do a job, and I have to do what I have to do. That's part of the business ... It's just part of off-season 'relaxation.'"

He's not surprised that Rondo, a 23-year-old point guard thought to be a big part of the Celtics' future, is part of the trade rumors.

"I've been around long enough to understand that this is a business. As well as he's played, he's attractive to other teams. Contractually, in his case, it may be a little bit tougher. He's not making a lot of money now, so to get something great back is not (as realistic) to our team."

Allen likes fellow UConn alum Jeff Adrien, and expects him to be selected in Thursday night's NBA draft.

"I've heard a lot of great things from people throughout the league that he has a great shot. He's an undersized player, but that's somewhat how the game's gone, with guys with his athleticism. He can change the game, he has good hands, he's good around the basket and he's a rebounder, so teams would love to have him on their team. I think it all depends on how the draft unfolds. He'll definitely be drafted, it's a matter of whether he goes mid or late. But I like his chances of being a great pro in the league."

Could Adrien help the Celtics?

"I think he would. He can shoot the jump shot, he's got a lot of athleticism. He does remind me of Leon Powe a little bit – about the same size, maybe a little bit smaller, but he's got that same power and strength."


GLOVER GETS A PIE IN HIS FACE

United States Open champ Lucas Glover became a co-conspirator – and victim - in his own shaving cream pie prank that delighted fans around the first tee at the Travelers Championship.
Shortly after Glover was announced to rousing applause, Steve Hale, the caddy of PGA Tour pro Johnson Wagner, snuck up from behind Glover and dealt Glover a face full of shaving cream pie.
"He won the U.S. Open, he deserves it," Wagner said.
The upshot of the story is that the pie prank had nothing directly to do with the fact Glover won the coveted Open championship Monday. About three or four weeks ago, a small group of players and/or caddies, including Glover, Wagner and Hale were talking about pulling off the stunt that has been seen most recently with the Yankees.
"We were all saying, why doesn't it ever happen out here?," said Hale. "We're doing interviews all day Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday … you see baseball players do it all the time. We were having the conversation with Lucas Glover during a practice round. And he goes, 'That's a great idea. That would be so funny if you did that.' He was all for it."
Glover was a great sport about it, though it took him about 10 minutes to clean all the shaving cream from his eyes, ears, nose, hair, neck and shirt.
Dave Solomon

Is that the sun out?

Rumor has it the sun came out after a brief rainstorm at TPC River Highlands for the Travelers Celebrity Pro-Am. Not sure though.

Anyhow, the weather is supposed to be nice for most of the Travelers Championship. The group to watch Thursday morning is the threesome of Sergio Garcia, Anthony Kim and Brian Gay teeing off the 10th hole at 7:42 a.m. That group tees off at 12:52 on Friday.

In the afternoon, reigning U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover is playing with Vijay Singh and Chad Campbell at 1:03 p.m. off the first hole. They tee off at 7:53 a.m. Friday.