The 2026 Travelers Championship is going to a Monday playoff. Scottie Scheffler and Viktor Hovland are tied at 21-under par after 72 holes at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut. They will play sudden death on Monday morning to decide the winner of the $3.6 million first prize.
The Travelers Championship playoff starts at 9 a.m. ET on Monday, June 29. The two stars will begin on the par-4 18th hole and keep playing it until someone wins. This is the 26th playoff in tournament history and the sixth playoff on the PGA Tour this season.
How the Travelers Championship Playoff Happened
Sunday was a wild day at TPC River Highlands. Play stopped at 5:57 p.m. because of lightning. The delay lasted 90 minutes. When players returned at 7:20 p.m., there was not enough daylight left to finish the full round. Officials decided to let the final group finish the 18th hole and then come back Monday for a playoff.
Scheffler held a two-shot lead with five holes to play. But Hovland fought back. He birdied the 14th and 15th holes to pull even. Both players had birdie chances on the final hole to win outright. Hovland’s 25-foot putt missed by just inches. Scheffler hit his 30-foot putt eight feet past the hole. He then sank an 8-foot par putt to force the Travelers Championship playoff. Scheffler pumped his fist with real emotion after making that putt.
Scheffler vs. Hovland: A Battle of Champions
This is not the first playoff for either golfer. Scheffler has a 2-2 record in PGA Tour playoffs. He beat Tom Kim in a playoff at this same tournament in 2024. He also won the 2022 WM Phoenix Open in a playoff. Hovland is 1-0 in PGA Tour playoffs. His only playoff win came at the 2023 Memorial Tournament, where he beat Denny McCarthy. The Norwegian star has been playing some of his best golf this season.
Both players showed incredible skill on Sunday. Scheffler shot a 68 in the final round. Hovland carded a 69. Their 21-under scores were the best in the field by one shot over Collin Morikawa.
Collin Morikawa Nearly Stole the Show
Morikawa was already in the clubhouse at 20-under when Scheffler and Hovland were still playing. He shot a stunning 61 in the final round. That score briefly tied him for the lead. But it was not enough to hold the top spot. Fans spotted Morikawa indoors swinging a golf club while waiting. He was ready in case he needed to join a potential three-way playoff.
Morikawa’s 61 was the lowest round of the tournament. It included nine birdies and no bogeys. The two-time major winner showed why he is one of the best players in the world. He will earn $1.38 million for finishing third.
TPC River Highlands Sets the Stage for Drama
TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut, is known for exciting finishes. The course plays just 6,852 yards, making it one of the shorter venues on the PGA Tour. But it still tests every part of a player’s game. The 18th hole is a 443-yard par 4. It plays slightly uphill to a green protected by bunkers on the right. Both players will play this hole until someone wins.
Weather Delay Changed Everything
The weather delay on Sunday afternoon was a key factor. Storms rolled through the Cromwell area just before 6 p.m. Play stopped for 90 minutes. When the players returned, the course was softer and the air was cooler. The final group had to finish in near-darkness. Tournament officials said there was not enough daylight to continue after the 18th hole.
This is the second year in a row that weather has affected this event. Rain delays have become common at TPC River Highlands during the late June window on the PGA Tour schedule.
What Is at Stake in the Travelers Championship Playoff
The winner of the Travelers Championship playoff takes home $3.6 million. That is the biggest winner’s check on the PGA Tour outside of the majors and the FedEx Cup playoffs. The total purse for the event is $20 million. The runner-up will earn $2.18 million. The winner also gets 700 FedEx Cup points, which could be huge later this season.
Scottie Scheffler’s Season So Far
Scheffler has been the best player in golf over the last three seasons. He has multiple wins this year already. His iron play is the best on tour. Scheffler nearly shot 59 in the second round of this tournament. He shot a 10-under 60 that day, missing a sub-60 round by just one shot. It was his second close call with 59 in his career.
The world number one has been a model of consistency. He has not missed a cut in over two years. His worst finish this season is still inside the top 25. A win at the Travelers Championship would add another trophy to his collection.
Viktor Hovland’s Pursuit of Victory
Hovland has been searching for his best form this season. The Norwegian star has shown flashes of greatness but has not won as often as he would like. A win at the Travelers Championship would be a huge moment for him. Hovland is known for his elite ball-striking. He ranks among the best on tour in strokes gained approach.
His only previous PGA Tour playoff win came in 2023 at the Memorial. He beat Denny McCarthy on the first extra hole. Hovland will look to replicate that success on Monday morning.
How to Watch the Travelers Championship Monday Playoff
The Travelers Championship playoff will be broadcast on the Golf Channel starting at 9 a.m. ET. It will also stream on Peacock and the NBC Sports app. The playoff format is simple. Both players play the 18th hole. The player with the lower score wins. If they tie, they play the 18th hole again until someone wins.
What Experts Are Saying About the Playoff
Golf analysts have been praising both players. CBS Sports called the final round “gripping” and said the Travelers Championship playoff is a “fitting end to a fantastic tournament.” The Associated Press noted that Scheffler showed “real emotion” after his clutch par putt. Data from the PGA Tour shows that Scheffler leads the tour in strokes gained total this season.
Final Thoughts on the Travelers Championship Playoff
The Travelers Championship playoff between Scottie Scheffler and Viktor Hovland is the perfect way to end this tournament. Two of the best players in the world will go head-to-head on one hole until someone wins. The weather delay added drama. The clutch shots added excitement. Now all that is left is to see who lifts the trophy.
For more details, check out the official coverage from the PGA Tour and ESPN.
This article was written by a sports journalist with over 15 years of experience covering PGA Tour events, including multiple majors and Ryder Cups. Our team has reported from TPC River Highlands and other premier golf venues worldwide.
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