After the bludgeoning taken by players in the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club, the Travelers Championship comes as a much-needed relief.
As I discuss on my podcast, Linksworms, this eighth and final Signature Event on the 2025 PGA Tour schedule acts as a palette cleanse that will see birdies in bunches and a winning score close to 20-under par.
TPC River Highlands is not a hard golf course, but it always produces entertaining tournaments
Memorable Holes: 6.5
Most of the standout holes at TPC River Highlands are located at the finish, which we will discuss in a moment. There are still a few fun holes elsewhere, though.
The par-5 13th always provides excitement. At only 523 yards, this hole is easily reachable in two, but players must avoid a lake to the right off the tee and a small pond that guards the front-left side of the green. Stay dry, and the 13th is a great opportunity for birdie or even eagle.
Interest: 5.5
Overall, TPC River Highlands isn't going to present too many shots that aren't seen week in and week out on the PGA Tour. There are, however, a couple exceptions, and the most compelling hole on the course is likely the drivable par-4 15th.
At 296 yards, this hole tempts golfers to take on the green and give themselves a putt for eagle; however, the green complex is treacherous, as it slopes from right to left toward a runoff area that leads down to a lake lurking left of the green. Shots that land on the left side of the green run the risk of leaking into the water.
Misses to the right leave a difficult pitch from a downhill lie or a mid-length bunker shot to a green that slopes away from the player. Many players will take a 3- or 5-wood off the tee and aim to leave the ball short and right of the green so they can get up and down for birdie.
Par-3s: 5.5
The par-3s at TPC River Highlands are just okay; for the most part, they are quite generic. The fifth hole is a long 223-yard hole with a couple of bunkers guarding the front-left and back-right portions of the green.
The eighth measures 202 yards and involves a carry over water; the runoff at the front of the green is shaved, so this water is very much in play for front hole locations.
The 11th is arguably the best par-3 on the course, a beautifully wooded hole measuring only 158 yards and playing steeply downhill.
Finally, the 171-yard 16th requires another carry over water with bunkers on each side of the green and a runoff area over the back.
Difficulty: 3.5
The Travelers Championship is usually a birdie fest with very low scores. TPC River Highlands does not pose much of a challenge to the world's best players, partly due to its significant lack of length by PGA Tour standards. There are one or two difficult holes, though.
The par-4 10th measures 462 yards; the downhill tee shot must negotiate a tall tree that sits in the left side of the fairway. That done, hitting the green can be a challenge because it is narrow and sits between a deep bunker left and a shaved runoff area right.
Finish: 7.5
The finishing holes are the strength of TPC River Highlands. The aforementioned 16th creates some interest by posing risk to golfers who come up short off the tee.
The par-4 17th is the best hole on the course; this 431-yard devil is shaped like a fish hook with a straight tee shot before bending sharply to the right. The daunting tee shot plays from a significantly elevated tee to a narrow fairway with bunkers on the left and water down the entire right side.
This water follows the entire hole right up to the front edge of the two-tiered green, requiring an intimidating carry on the second shot.
The 18th is another par-4, measuring 444 yards. The hole itself is fairly ordinary, but the sizable hills surrounding the green create a phenomenal natural amphitheater where thousands of fans pack in to see the conclusion of the tournament. This finishing hole provides one of the best atmospheres on the PGA Tour.
Overall: 5.70
For the criteria used to determine these ratings, please click here.