Ben James tees off on Hole 6 during the final round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn., Sunday, June 28, 2026.
Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media
Ben James just misses birdie on Hole 7 during the final round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn., Sunday, June 28, 2026.
Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media
Ben James watches his tee shot on Hole 9 during the final round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn., Sunday, June 28, 2026.
Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media
Ben James watches his second shot on Hole 9 during the final round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn., Sunday, June 28, 2026.
Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media
CROMWELL — Sunday was a struggle for Ben James, a round of 3-over-par 73 at TPC River Highlands in the final round of the Travelers Championship.
But the fan support along the 18 holes didn’t waver the entire day. When his name was announced as he approached the 18th green, James, a Milford native, got a huge round of applause.
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“Definitely need to kind of sit back and think about this weekend,” James said. “Not my best stuff. Again, like I said, it was really cool, every putt you make you get a big round of applause, every good shot. So every all it was a really fun week. Just not the finish I would like, but that’s golf. Again, very thankful for the support I had over this week.”
Ben James walks the ninth hole during the final round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn., Sunday, June 28, 2026.
Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media
James, a Hamden Hall Country Day and University of Virginia graduate, finished the four-round tournament with a 4-under 276. Friday’s second round of 64 certainly helped the cause.
“It’s so good to watch him right here, to see the fans interact with him, see friends that can actually come out (and watch),” said Don James, Ben’s dad. “A lot of people, they see the leaderboards, they see the Internet, but they never actually see him swing a golf club. I like that people can actually see him play and see him as a person.”
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This was the third time James played in the Travelers Championship, all on sponsor’s exemptions, something James has been quite thankful for each time he received one. This was the first time he made the cut.
Ben James looks over Hole 8 from the tee box during the final round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn., Sunday, June 28, 2026.
Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media
It’s been a long stretch for James, starting with winning the NCAA Winston-Salem Regional in late May. Then he competed in the NCAA Championship that concluded on June 1. It was there James earned his spot on the PGA Tour for finishing first in the PGA Tour University ranking,
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That ranking was based on college tournaments over James’ last two years. That earned him PGA Tour playing privileges through 2027.
“I’m proud of him. He got his degree, stayed four years, he accomplished that, got the PGA Tour U, which was a big accomplishment, and now has been playing some really good golf,” Don James said.
Ben James’ first round as a professional was the U.S. Open sectional qualifier June 8. He qualified for the third straight year. Then he flew to Canada to take part in the Canadian Open a tournament he led after two rounds, including a second-round 63. He tied for 54th there.
He also held a share of the lead briefly at the U.S. Open. A final round of 67 allowed James to tie for 23rd place.
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Then it was on to TPC River Highlands where he got to play in his home state.
Ben James tees off on Hole 6 during the final round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn., Sunday, June 28, 2026.
Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media
“Yeah, maybe. Maybe. Definitely a lot to think about,” James said when asked about being a little tired. “I played very poorly this weekend, but I’ve been having a lot of good rounds though. Been shooting some nice low scores in these last couple weeks out here, so that’s something good to pat myself on the back.”
James will not play in the John Deere Classic that begins Thursday. He was unsure of his plans for the week, if he was going to put the clubs aside for a couple of days..
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“That’s a good question. I’m going to hang out with my friends tonight and we’ll go from there,” James said.
Ben James watches his tee shot on Hole 8 during the final round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn., Sunday, June 28, 2026.
Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media
He said he plans to play at the ISCO Championship next week, followed by the Corales Puntacana Championship. There are three more PGA Tour events after that before the FedExCup playoffs start. After that, the PGA Tour fall season begins in September.
Before that stretch, a time to spend some time with family and friends.
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“I can’t thank them (his parents) enough,” James said. “I know they’re not looking at my score. … I’m ready to be loved by them after this long day today and the long week, but very thankful to have good parents.”