Viktor Hovland took the solo lead on the 18th hole in Round 3 of the 2026 Travelers Championship on Saturday at TPC River Highlands. He and Scottie Scheffler swapped leads all afternoon before the late turn decided the day.
Hovland and Scheffler trade blows
The lead changed hands enough to keep the closing stretch live right through the final hole. Hovland’s move on 18 ended the day with him on top, and Scheffler had been tied in the back-and-forth that shaped Saturday’s round.
That finish sent the tournament into Sunday with the final round still to be played. Tee times begin at 8:45 a.m., with gates opening at 8:30 a.m.
First Tee Connecticut breakfast
Saturday morning also brought the annual First Tee Connecticut breakfast, where donors were honored, student achievement was celebrated and scholarships were awarded to young participants in the program. First Tee reaches more than 70,000 kids across Connecticut and uses golf to teach life skills including confidence and resilience.
That same mix of competition and community carried over to the course later in the day. The event’s fan zone, beside the 17th and 18th holes, drew large crowds even after rain earlier in the afternoon.
Fan zone at TPC River Highlands
Kenny, a fan from Winsted, said, “We come out here. We hang out. We get to see some entertainment with golf and it’s also kind of like hiking” and “You get to go to these vendors. It’s a good time out here. It’s family friendly. I think it’s worth coming to.”
James Furey of Fairfield said, “We just watched golf and then over there we have all these stands” and “They let you play golf games and there’s simulators and you could go putting and you can earn prizes which is really fun. And go Scottie!”
The fan area offered food, yard games, photo opportunities and shaded seating, along with company tents, a chipping challenge, a virtual golf simulator and a putting green. Officials also urged fans heading to the course to leave early because traffic near the entrance builds quickly as tee times ramp up, and parking is first-come, first-served.
Sunday now carries the simple burden of finishing the job after a Saturday swing that put Hovland in front at the toughest point of the round. The closing stretch at TPC River Highlands already decided one lead change; it will decide the tournament next.
