Day 1 of the 2025 Travelers Championship: Fans flock to the fairways

Now that it’s a signature event on the PGA Tour, the Travelers Championship field attracts golf fans, and new golf fans from all over the area.

The opening round Thursday brought out the top players in the world and no shortage of excitement. Andy Bessette, the chief administrative officer from Travelers, said, “Thursday means everything to everybody.”

He then added, “The top players in the world are here. Rory (McIroy) is out here, Scottie (Scheffler) is out here, and J.J. Spaun - the U.S. Open winner - is out here.”

Both clad in fluorescent orange to support their favorite player, Rickie Fowler, Justin and Ashley McNeely, from Wallingford, were among the masses at Hole #1 watching star after star tee off.

“This is my first time here,” Justin McNeely said. “And it's unbelievable. I love it, I just want to see great golf.”

Just before Rickie Fowler teed off, Ashley McNeely said, “We’re big Rickie fans. He’s humble and he’s good to the fans.”

Jim Brielmann, a standard bearer, who has volunteered at the tournament for the last 20 years - dating back to before it was The Travelers - said he’s proud to be a Cromwell resident, especially during tournament time.

Brielmann added, “I love golf and I love that it puts Cromwell on the map. We have a professional golf tournament here, and Travelers has made it one of the favorite tournaments for the players in the world.”

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Jim Altman is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.

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