Travelers Championship tournament director Nathan Grube promised fans would see golfers they have not seen play at TPC River Highlands in quite some time. He also delivered someone who hasn't been here ever.
Anthony Kim was one of the four committments the tournament announced on Monday at its annual Media Day. This will be his first appearance at the event after winning twice last year in just his second season on tour. Sergio Garcia, the No. 3 ranked player in the world, returns to Cromwell for the first time since 2002.
Also returning to the event are Vijay Singh and Stuart Appleby.
Kim, 23, will defend his first PGA Tour title at Quail Hollow this week in the tournament formerly known as the Wachovia Championship. Kim later won the AT&T National event last July. He finished with eight top-10 finishes and placed fourth in the Fed Ex Cup standings and earned a spot on the U.S. Ryder Cup team.Garcia tied for 20th in his first and only appearance at River Highlands back in 2002.
Ironically, that was the last time the U.S. Open was held in the state of New York the week before the tournament at the same course - Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, N.Y.
Singh has finished in the top five each of the last two years at the Travelers Championship. Appleby tied for 45th place last year.