Cromwell, CT – I am not sure who could have predicted the finish on Sunday at the 2021 Travelers Championship, but it was filled with an unlikely duo and a record setting eight playoff holes. Coming down the stretch on Sunday, 3-time Travelers winner Bubba Watson held on to a one shot lead before an absolute implosion. Starting a hole 14, Bubba went bogey, bogey, bogey, double bogey, and bogey to finish his round. He dropped all the way back to tie for 19th place.
Bubba’s meltdown opened the door for two other improbable players – Kramer Hickok and Harris English. Both players exchanged shots for the lead or a share of the lead. Harris’ birdie on 18 allowed him to take the lead temporarily as Kramer Hickok was one back with one hole left to play. Hickok needed a birdie to tie. With a sub-10 foot putt left for his par, Hickok drained the putt, knowing he secured a spot in the playoff for a potential first PGA Tour win.
Then, the drama started. The playoff between Harris English and Kramer Hickock, the latter of which has won twice on PGA Tour – Canada at the ripe old age of 29, began with both draining long par putts. This continued for six more holes. All pars for both players. Pars may seem boring on paper but it was anything but. They came to the eighth playoff hole. You read that right – eight! Harris broke the stalemate and sunk a birdie putt to clinch the victory as Hickok was unable to match.
This victory is Harris English’s first win at the Travelers but fourth PGA Tour victory. He is also now 2 for 3 in playoff opportunities. Next week, the tour heads to Detroit for the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
Harris English WITB:
Driver: Ping G400 9° (Mitsubishi Chemical Kuro Kage XT 70 TX)
3 Wood: Ping G400 14.5° (Fujikura Atmos Blue Tour Spec 7 X)
Utility: Ping G410 Crossover 21° (Fujikura Atmos Black 9X),
Irons: Ping Blueprint 4-9 (True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100)
Wedges: Ping Glide 3.0 46°, 52°, 56°, Ping Glide Forged 60° (True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue)
Putter: Ping Scottsdale Hohum
Ball: Titleist ProV1
Zack Buechner
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The “Sudden Death” golfers were enjoyable. The PGA Sudden Death “Process” was a failure. The process must have no repeating holes. I recommend using the most challenging holes as identified by the tournament course handicap.
The TV presentation of golf tournaments by every network is a failure. Commentators sit making stupid remarks to fill time. Remember several years ago when FOX Sports kept reporting a local fire rather then the game. Commentators need to provide biographical data on the top players & the brand & models of the clubs & balls. Then provide the unique techniques of swings. The name of player being focused must always appear on the screen. The cameramen must focus on the front of entire body during swing. Often the cameramen were behind the player. The often occurred during putting. In general, commentators must be exceptional at presenting an exciting sport.