Seventy-two holes weren’t enough to decide the winner of the 2021 Travelers Championship.
Turns out neither were 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78 or even 79.
Thanks to a pair of clutch birdie putts in regulation on the 18th green at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut, Harris English and Kramer Hickok found themselves in the longest playoff of the PGA Tour season on Sunday evening. Playoff birdies were at a premium as the two played eight extra holes between Nos. 17 and 18, each making par to extend the never-ending tournament.
English finally earned the title with a birdie on the eighth playoff hole for his fourth win on the PGA Tour and second of the year following his January victory at the Sentry Tournament of Champions.
Travelers Championship: Leaderboard | Photos
English got the playoff party started by making a 28-footer for birdie to reach 13 under and take the clubhouse lead from then-leader Marc Leishman, who was already in at 12 under. Playing in the final group, Hickok joined English at 13 under with a birdie putt of his own from inside nine feet, forcing the sudden-death playoff.
“I’ve known him since I was 12. He’s one of the hardest working players I’ve ever known,” said Jordan Spieth of his fellow Longhorn, Hickok. “He’s a great friend, he’s meant a lot to me. He’s earned this.”
Leishman finished third following a Sunday 6-under 64, followed by Abraham Ancer in solo fourth at 11 under with five players rounding out the top five all at 10 under: Kevin Kisner, Brooks Koepka, Hank Lebioda, Brian Harman and Brice Garnett.