Almost a full work week has passed since J.J. Spaun finished the U.S. Open at Oakmont with a 64-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole that sealed his place in major championship history. By the end of that late Sunday afternoon in western Pennsylvania, the sport was ready to move on from a brutal and unforgiving golf course that lived up to its reputation as the most difficult venue for a major championship with its dense, deep five-inch rough, penal bunkers and narrow and sloping fairways.
As the Travelers Championship begins Thursday at TPC River Highlands outside of Hartford, Conn., the best players in the world are thankful for this more forgiving layout, where Scottie Scheffler won last year in a playoff over Tom Kim after they both finished regulation at 22 under par.
