Nelly Korda stands on the brink of history as she attempts to secure her third straight major title at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship this week. Meanwhile, the PGA Tour is marking the conclusion of its signature series with the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut.
This Week's Events
From June 25 to 28, the Travelers Championship attracts elite players, offering a chance at a $20 million purse and 700 FedExCup points. Broadcasts will be available on Golf Channel and NBC, with streaming options also accessible throughout the event.
Last year, TPC River Highlands, the tournament's venue, ranked as the second-shortest course on the PGA Tour, only behind Port Royal. Notably, Keegan Bradley, who clinched the title in 2023, holds the course record with a remarkable score of 257.
Player Highlights and Field Composition
This week, notable absences from the field include the No. 2 golfer Rory McIlroy and No. 10 Jon Rahm, with McIlroy notably skipping his third signature event of 2026. Players gaining entry through the Aon Swing 5 comprise Eric Cole, Brandt Snedeker, Jackson Suber, Mac Meissner, and Mark Hubbard. Among sponsor exemptions are prominent names like Jordan Spieth, Tony Finau, and Keith Mitchell. Additionally, Ben James, a native of Milford, Connecticut, is set to make his second professional appearance.
Patrick Cantlay, who previously shot a stunning 60 at this venue as an amateur back in 2011, continues his pursuit for another strong finish here, having notched eight consecutive top-15 finishes in the event.
Predictions and Betting Odds
As for potential favorites, Scottie Scheffler, with +450 odds, hasn't clinched a win since February, but he's maintained solid performance with five top-three finishes in seven appearances. Xander Schauffele, at +1475, shows an upward trend with six finishes of T12 or better in his last eight outings. Tommy Fleetwood (+1750) is looking to avenge last year’s narrow defeat to Bradley, while Cameron Young (+2050) seeks to recover from underwhelming recent results. Matt Fitzpatrick (+2200) remains the only player with three tour victories this season and was recently in contention at the U.S. Open.
Wyndham Clark, entering with a current form highlighted by two wins and a top-11 finish in his last four events, has odds set at +2800. Meanwhile, Si Woo Kim, who’s yet to win this season, matches Scheffler with eight top-10 finishes.
KPMG Women’s PGA Championship
Simultaneously, the KPMG Women's PGA Championship unfolds at Hazeltine National Golf Club, extending from June 25 to 28. This tournament features a substantial $13 million purse, a record for women's events.
Nelly Korda, currently the world’s top-ranked female golfer, seeks to make her mark by capturing her third major title of 2026, following victories at the Chevron Championship and the U.S. Women’s Open. Historically, only Babe Zaharias (1950) and Inbee Park (2013) have succeeded in winning the first three majors of any year.
Field and Historical Significance
Among the competitive field, which includes all top 100 players in the Race to the CME Globe rankings and 24 of the top 25 on the Rolex Rankings, players like Amari Avery and Kate Smith-Stroh enter as sponsor exemptions. The Hazeltine venue has a notable legacy, having hosted events such as the 2016 Ryder Cup, the 2019 edition of this championship, and it’s slated to welcome the Ryder Cup again in 2029.
Last year’s champion, Jeongeun Lee, claimed her third major title by defeating competitors such as Auston Kim and Chanettee Wannasaen by three strokes.
Other Events Around the Circuit
Meanwhile, the European tour is hosting the DS Automobiles 83 Open d'Italia in Torino, running parallel with the other established events. The competition will be accessible via Golf Channel covering morning to noon time slots throughout the week. Patrick Reed stands out as the leading player in this tournament, positioned to vie alongside Italian stars Francesco Molinari and Guido Migliozzi. Notably, a qualifying spot for The Open Championship is up for grabs for the highest finisher who isn't already exempt.
Following this week of significant competitive play, players will transition to the next tournaments—the John Deere Classic for the PGA Tour and the Evian Championship for the LPGA circuit.
