Day, Leishman eye reprieve after US Open

Jason Day and Marc Leishman headline six Australians contesting the Travelers Championship in Connecticut, the post-US Open event on the PGA Tour.

Jason Day.

Jason Day is anticipating a better time at the Travelers Championship following a brutal US Open. (AAP)

Australians Jason Day and Marc Leishman are among a host of stars flocking to the PGA Tour's Travelers Championship for a much-needed confidence boost after a week of toiling on a brutal US Open course.

The Cromwell, Connecticut event - held at TPC River Highlands - is growing in stature for its ability to offer a birdie and eagle barrage for the world's best players.

US Open organiser the USGA set up host Shinnecock Hills in diabolical fashion last week, with Brooks Koepka battling thick rough, horrific pin placements and fast greens to win with a one-over-par total.

This week, 49 competitors have made the short trip from Shinnecock in New York to Connecticut, headlined by five of the top 10 on the world rankings and winners of the past five majors.

Koepka will be the first player to tee it up the week after winning the US Open since Justin Rose in 2013.

Also among the top-ranked players is world No.9 Day, who is contesting the event for a second consecutive year following missed cuts at both US Opens.

"I'm really looking forward to teeing off Travelers, especially coming off a tough US Open because (TPC River Highlands) is a course where you can make a lot of birdies and feel good about your game again," Day said.

Former world No.1 Day, whose three appearances in Connecticut yielded just one top-25 finish, is joined in the field by countryman and 2012 Travelers winner Marc Leishman.

The Victorian world No.16 says he enjoys the event for the same reasons.

"I'm definitely excited to be rewarded for good shots," Leishman said.

Leishman broke through for a maiden US Tour victory six years ago, before adding three other top 20s at TPC River Highlands.

"The course suits my eye very well; I've won there and played well there so I'm looking forward to a more relaxing week," he said.

A star-studded field also boasts world No.2 Justin Thomas, four-time major winner Rory McIlroy and defending champion Jordan Spieth, who holed a greenside bunker shot to win a sudden-death playoff last year - weeks before claiming his first British Open title.

Rounding out the Australian contingent is Aaron Baddeley, fresh off his first top-25 at a major in four years, as well as Matt Jones, Geoff Ogilvy and Rod Pampling.


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Source: AAP



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