2026 Travelers Championship: Friday's Tee Times & How to Follow the Action
Alright, let’s cut to the chase. The 2026 Travelers Championship is in full swing, and Friday’s second round at TPC River Highlands is where things really start to heat up. We’re talking about the guys who can actually hit a golf ball, not just hack at it. You want to know who’s teeing off when, and how you can actually watch it without staring at your phone like a damn zombie? Stick around. This is where you get the lowdown on all the crucial tee times for Friday, so you don’t miss a single crucial shot from the contenders.
We’ve got some serious talent out there. Take Matt Fitzpatrick, for instance. This bloke is having a season for the ages, no joke. He’s the only guy with three wins already in 2026. Three! And he’s showing it again at the Travelers, putting up a scorching six-under 64 in the first round. That’s the kind of golf that makes you shake your head and say, “Yeah, okay, he’s good.” After an early start on Thursday, he’s moving to an afternoon tee time for Round 2. He’s scheduled to go out at 1:55 p.m. ET, paired up with Justin Thomas. That’s a pairing you don’t want to miss. Two guys who know how to win, going head-to-head.
Now, if you’re wondering how to actually catch this spectacle, here’s the deal. For Friday’s second round, you can tune into Golf Channel from 3-6 p.m. ET. If you’re more into the early bird action, PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ is your go-to. They kick off streaming coverage bright and early at 8:15 a.m. ET, and they’ll have all the featured groups and holes you could ask for. No excuses for missing out on the good stuff.
TPC River Highlands: The Battleground for Round 2
TPC River Highlands. It’s a course that demands precision. It’s not some monster layout where you just bash drivers and hope. You’ve got to be smart out there. The fairways can be tight, and the greens are notoriously tricky. Guys who can shape the ball and have a good feel around the greens are the ones who will thrive. We’ve seen it year after year. It’s the kind of place where a solid game plan and execution can really make a difference. It’s not just about bombing it; it’s about playing smart golf.
This year, the field is stacked. We’ve got the usual suspects, the guys you expect to see at the top of the leaderboard. But there are always a few surprises, aren’t there? That’s the beauty of golf. You’ve got established stars, and then you’ve got the hungry guys coming up, trying to make a name for themselves. This tournament is a perfect proving ground for both.
Key Pairings to Watch on Friday
When you look at the tee times, certain groups just jump out at you. You’ve got Fitzpatrick and Thomas going off at 1:55 p.m. ET. That’s a prime-time matchup for the afternoon session. You know they’ll be feeding off each other, trying to make birdies and separate themselves from the pack. Expect some fireworks there.
Then there’s the Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns pairing at 11:10 a.m. ET. Scheffler, well, he’s just a machine. He’s always in contention. And Burns, he’s got the firepower to go low. Watching those two navigate the course together will be fascinating. They both have different styles, but both are incredibly effective. It’s a clash of titans, early in the day.
And don’t forget about Keegan Bradley and Jordan Spieth at 11:00 a.m. ET. Spieth, always a crowd favorite, can get it going. Bradley, when he’s on, is one of the most intimidating players out there. Their dynamic will be interesting to see. Can Spieth recapture that magic? Can Bradley keep the momentum rolling?
We’ve also got Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele set to tee off at 2:35 p.m. ET. Morikawa, with his precise iron play, and Schauffele, who just keeps knocking on the door of major wins, are always players to watch. This pairing is pure class. They both have the game to make a serious run at this title.
The Full Friday Tee Sheet: Your Complete Guide
For those who want to pore over every detail, here’s the complete list of tee times for Friday’s second round. This is your roadmap to the day’s action. You can plan your viewing, know exactly when your favorite players are hitting the course, and avoid any last-minute scrambling.
- 8:45 a.m. – Tee No. 1: Alex Noren, Alex Smalley
- 8:55 a.m. – Tee No. 1: Rickie Fowler, Jason Day
- 9:05 a.m. – Tee No. 1: Michael Kim, Sam Stevens
- 9:15 a.m. – Tee No. 1: Kurt Kitayama, Daniel Berger
- 9:25 a.m. – Tee No. 1: Brian Campbell, Taylor Pendrith
- 9:35 a.m. – Tee No. 1: Keith Mitchell, Ryo Hisatsune
- 9:45 a.m. – Tee No. 1: Akshay Bhatia, Adam Scott
- 9:55 a.m. – Tee No. 1: J.J. Spaun, Chris Gotterup
- 10:10 a.m. – Tee No. 1: Jacob Bridgeman, Sungjae Im
- 10:20 a.m. – Tee No. 1: J.T. Poston, Andrew Novak
- 10:30 a.m. – Tee No. 1: Sepp Straka, Harris English
- 10:40 a.m. – Tee No. 1: Bud Cauley, Viktor Hovland
- 10:50 a.m. – Tee No. 1: Justin Rose, Corey Conners
- 11:00 a.m. – Tee No. 1: Keegan Bradley, Jordan Spieth
- 11:10 a.m. – Tee No. 1: Scottie Scheffler, Sam Burns
- 11:25 a.m. – Tee No. 1: Wyndham Clark, Tommy Fleetwood
- 11:35 a.m. – Tee No. 1: Sahith Theegala, Mac Meissner
- 11:45 a.m. – Tee No. 1: Si Woo Kim, Denny McCarthy
- 11:55 a.m. – Tee No. 1: Ryan Fox, Matt McCarty
- 12:05 p.m. – Tee No. 1: Tom Hoge, Jackson Suber
- 12:15 p.m. – Tee No. 1: Min Woo Lee, Nicolai Højgaard
- 12:25 p.m. – Tee No. 1: Lucas Glover, Eric Cole
- 12:40 p.m. – Tee No. 1: Ryan Gerard, Jake Knapp
- 12:50 p.m. – Tee No. 1: Tony Finau, Ben James
- 1:00 p.m. – Tee No. 1: Gary Woodland, Shane Lowry
- 1:10 p.m. – Tee No. 1: Robert MacIntyre, Patrick Cantlay
- 1:20 p.m. – Tee No. 1: Brandt Snedeker, Harry Hall
- 1:30 p.m. – Tee No. 1: Nico Echavarria, Hideki Matsuyama
- 1:40 p.m. – Tee No. 1: Ben Griffin, Ludvig Åberg
- 1:55 p.m. – Tee No. 1: Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Thomas
- 2:05 p.m. – Tee No. 1: Alex Fitzpatrick, Nick Taylor
- 2:15 p.m. – Tee No. 1: Aaron Rai, Maverick McNealy
- 2:25 p.m. – Tee No. 1: Russell Henley, Cameron Young
- 2:35 p.m. – Tee No. 1: Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele
- 2:45 p.m. – Tee No. 1: Kristoffer Reitan, Brian Harman
- 2:55 p.m. – Tee No. 1: Jhonattan Vegas, Mark Hubbard
Betting on the Travelers? A Quick Tip
Look, if you’re the type who likes to put a little action on the game, there are always options. For this year’s Travelers Championship, you can sign up for Fanatics Sportsbook with code “SUBPAR” and get a special welcome offer. It’s a good way to add a little extra excitement to your viewing, but remember to gamble responsibly. Don’t be that person blowing their rent money on a long shot. Pick a player you like, enjoy the action, and hope for the best. It’s all part of the fun, right?
The course itself, TPC River Highlands, is a par-70 layout that measures just over 6,800 yards. It’s not the longest course on Tour, which means accuracy and strategy are paramount. You’ll see plenty of players hitting hybrids or irons off the tee on some holes to avoid trouble. The greens are bentgrass, known for being quick and undulating. Putting is going to be absolutely key. A hot putter can steal strokes from anyone, and a cold one can ruin a perfectly good round. We’ll see who has the magic touch on Friday.
The weather is always a factor in Connecticut. You can expect typical late June conditions – potentially humid, with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms. It’s always wise to keep an eye on the forecast, as wind and rain can completely change the complexion of the course and the scores. The players who can adapt to changing conditions will have a significant advantage. It separates the contenders from the pretenders.
This tournament has a rich history, and winning here means you’ve conquered a challenging course against a top-tier field. It’s a stepping stone for many players looking to make their mark on the PGA Tour. The pressure is immense, especially on Friday as players fight to make the cut and position themselves for the weekend. Every shot counts. Every putt matters. It’s a grind, and the guys who show mental fortitude will be the ones playing on Sunday.
So, there you have it. The schedule is set, the players are ready, and the stage is TPC River Highlands. Get ready for a day of compelling golf. Whether you’re following your favorite player, cheering for an underdog, or just enjoying the sheer skill on display, Friday at the Travelers Championship promises to be an exciting day of professional golf.