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Three-Way Tie Sets Stage for Travelers Championship Moving Day Fireworks

CROMWELL, Conn.—June 21, 2025
The stage is set for a high-stakes Saturday showdown at TPC River Highlands, where world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas, and Tommy Fleetwood share the lead at nine under par. With ideal scoring conditions and a star-packed leaderboard, golf fans worldwide are tuning in for what promises to be an electrifying “Moving Day” at the PGA Tour’s final Signature Event of the season.

Leaderboard Lockdown

Scheffler’s quest for back-to-back Travelers titles hit a minor speed bump Friday when his second-round 69 included a double bogey at the 17th. But the defending champion’s stumble opened the door for Thomas and Fleetwood to surge into a tie. Thomas ignited the crowd with a blistering 64 featuring six consecutive birdies on the back nine, while Fleetwood’s 65 was punctuated by two eagles in three holes. Lurking one shot behind is Jason Day at eight under, with Denny McCarthy and Austin Eckroat poised to strike at seven under. The heavyweight trio of Scheffler, Thomas, and Fleetwood will tee off together at 2:25 p.m. ET Saturday—a marquee grouping certain to draw massive galleries.

How to Catch Every Moment

For early risers, PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ kicks off coverage at 8:00 a.m. ET, offering four distinct streams: the panoramic Main Feed, every-shot coverage of the Marquee Group (Xander Schauffele and Andrew Novak at 10:35 a.m. ET), dual Featured Groups, and live looks at pivotal holes 5, 11, 15, and 16. Television coverage shifts to Golf Channel at 1:00 p.m. ET before CBS takes the reins from 3:00 to 6:30 p.m. ET. International viewers can follow via Sky Sports Golf in the UK or Fox Sports/Kayo in Australia.

Storylines to Watch

Beyond the leaders, compelling narratives abound:

  • Viktor Hovland’s Resurgence: Fresh off a U.S. Open podium finish, Hovland scorched the front nine with a 29 Saturday morning—11 shots better than his Friday performance on the same stretch.
  • Rory McIlroy’s Redemption Bid: Paired with Harris English at 1:35 p.m. ET, McIlroy seeks momentum before CBS airs “Rory: The Long Game,” a documentary chronicling his career, at 2:30 p.m. ET.
  • Adam Scott’s Charge: The Aussie veteran, playing on U.S. Open adrenaline, opened his third round with a 29 on the front nine—proving low scores are ripe for the taking in calm conditions.

Course Conditions: Birdie Bonanza Returns

After Friday’s gusty winds stifled scoring—only four players shot 66 or better compared to 14 on Thursday—Saturday’s forecast promises a resurgence of fireworks. With temperatures in the mid-80s, minimal wind, and soft greens, TPC River Highlands is primed for aggression. Early scores validated the shift: Rickie Fowler rebounded from a Friday 77 to go four under through 13 holes Saturday, while Matt Fitzpatrick started four under through eight.

The Stakes

A $20 million purse hangs in the balance, with the winner claiming $3.6 million and 700 FedEx Cup points. For Fleetwood, it’s a chance at his elusive first PGA Tour victory. For Scheffler, it’s an opportunity to become the first repeat Travelers champion since Phil Mickelson in 2002. And for Thomas, it’s about harnessing yesterday’s birdie barrage into sustainable momentum.

As the Connecticut sun climbs higher, one truth crystallizes: In a field with no cut and 45 of the world’s top 50 golfers, Saturday’s drama is just the opening act for a Sunday crescendo.