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$35 Million PGA Tour Golfer Withdraws From Final Round of Travelers Championship

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sahil Goswami | Last updated Jun 22, 2025 3:39 PM ET

As the final round of the Travelers Championship unfolded on a storm-affected Sunday at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut, all eyes were on the leaderboard. Tommy Fleetwood was out in front at 16-under, holding a three-shot lead as players battled through the closing stretch of the final Signature Event of the season. But while the drama built around Fleetwood, another headline stole attention early in the day.

Viktor Hovland, the $35 million career-earning PGA Tour star and former FedExCup champion, withdrew just three holes into his final round due to a neck injury. The 27-year-old Norwegian, paired with Scottie Scheffler and Taylor Pendrith in a modified threesome grouping, appeared to be in discomfort from the start. He made par on the first hole but bogeyed the second before walking off on the third.

Hovland had entered Sunday tied for 14th at 6-under after shooting a sensational 63 on Saturday, his best round of the week following a rocky 66-75 start. However, the pain became too much. PGA TOUR Communications confirmed the withdrawal, marking Hovland as the fourth player to pull out during the week, joining Jordan Spieth (neck), Si Woo Kim (back), and Eric Cole (illness).

Viktor Hovland withdrew during the final round of the Travelers Championship with a neck injury.
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) June 22, 2025

This exit is especially tough for Hovland, who was coming off a solo third-place finish at the U.S. Open and seemed poised to make another strong showing. Currently ranked 22nd in the FedExCup standings, he remains in solid shape to reach the Playoffs and the TOUR Championship at East Lake.

With a $20 million purse on the line and Playoff spots at stake, the Travelers Championship continues to deliver intensity, even as unexpected injuries like Hovland’s bring an unfortunate twist to a thrilling weekend.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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