Fredrik Jacobson wins Travelers Championship

Sweden's Fredrik Jacobson secured his first PGA Tour title by winning the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Connecticut by a single shot from Ryan Moore and John Rollins of the USA.

Fredrik Jacobson

Sweden's Fredrik Jacobson secured his first PGA Tour title by winning the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Connecticut by a single shot from Ryan Moore and John Rollins of the USA.

The Swede, who has won three times on the European Tour, joined the PGA Tour eight years ago and this was the first time he has lofted a trophy on the circuit.

"I've been on the board, I've been asked so many times by the kids, 'Did you get a trophy this week daddy? Did you get a trophy this week?'" he said. "So, I'm excited about that."

Jacobson closed with a solid 66 to finish on an incredible 20-under-par - two shy of the tournament record, even still he had to fend off stiff competition from a group of charging Americans.

Michael Thompson started his final round with a bogey and, at that stage, was playing for one of the minor placings. But he went on an incredible streak from the 4th hole, making nine birdies to post a closing round of 62 and a clubhouse total of 18-under. It would eventually be good enough for fourth place.

John Rollins also finished strongly with four birdies in a row from the 11th, then a closing birdie at the 18th to move one clear of Thompson on 19-under-par.

What Ryan Moore would have given for that three at the 72nd hole? He had moved to 20-under with a birdie two at the 16th but found sand from the tee and again with his approach on the final hole. He blasted out well but then missed from four feet to record a closing bogey and to drop back into a tie with Rollins.

"I'm not going to beat myself up over that putt," he said. "That happens in golf. When you shoot 63 in the final round there's not a whole lot to complain about."

As it turned out, the missed putt was crucial though as Jacobson made a regulation par down the home hole to win by one stroke. The victory has lifted the Swede to 18th in the FedEx Cup points race. He became the eighth first time winner on the PGA Tour so far this season.

Travelers Championship TPC River Highlands, Connecticut June 23-26, purse $6,000,000, par 70

1   Fredrik Jacobson (Swe)   65   66   63   66   260   $1,080,000 T2   Ryan Moore (USA)   64   70   64   63   261   $528,000 T2   John Rollins (USA)   65   68   65   63   261   $528,000 4   Michael Thompson (USA) 67   65   68   62   262   $288,000 5   James Driscoll (USA)   69   64   64   67   264   $240,000    T6   Bryce Molder (USA)   65   65   64   70   265   $201,000 T6   Andres Romero (Arg)   64   67   67   67   265   $201,000 T6   Kevin Streelman (USA)   66   70   63   66   265   $201,000 T9   Blake Adams (USA)   66   66   66   68   266   $156,000 T9   Brian Davis (Eng)      65   67   68   66   266   $156,000 T9   Tom Gillis (USA)      66   69   66   65   266   $156,000 T9   John Merrick (USA)   67   66   66   67   266   $156,000

Note: Player score in bold signifies Titleist ball usage only Where next? European Tour: Larrazabal wins BMW International Open

Fergus Bisset
Contributing Editor

Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly. 

Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?