Adam Schefter Shines Among Star-Studded Group At Travelers Championship
CROMWELL, Conn. — The twosome featured arguably the biggest name in golf, Rory McIlroy, as well as United States Ryder Cup captain and hometown kid, Keegan Bradley. The man who shined brightest among that star-studded group, however, was a newcomer to the Travelers Championship.
Adam Schefter might’ve received more fanfare than anyone walking the grounds at TPC River Highlands on Thursday.
“It was a thrill to meet him and have him out there,” Bradley said after he shot 6-under par 64.
The well-known ESPN NFL insider, who has 11.5 million followers on X, transitioned from the gridiron to the links and made his debut as a golf reporter for PGA Tour Live on ESPN+.
“It was incredible,” Schefter told NESN.com after he walked 18 holes with microphone in hand. “I’m a huge golf fan, I love watching these guys, and to be able to watch them up close and personal was memorable and unforgettable. I mean, you know how good they are, but when you see it in person, it’s impressive.”
Schefter stood out.
Not because of his physical stature — he fits in better with PGA Tour players than he does NFL offensive lineman. Not because of how loud he spoke — he whispered into the microphone as all experienced golf reporters do. Not even because of his bright orange golf shirt, which showcased a PGA Tour Live logo on the front and an ESPN logo on the nearby sleeve. It’s not like Schefter spent all his time in the middle of the fairway, either. He stayed out of the way and found shade whenever he could.
It’s just, well, he’s Schefter.
“It was great,” Bradley said. “Just hearing his voice is so iconic with football and what I — I’d turn on the TV hoping to hear Patriot news, and he’s the guy. That was really fun.”
Schefter likely was posted on hundreds of social media accounts Thursday. He autographed large white golf balls and took pictures with fans standing at the par-4 18th green. Then there were the outcries relating to the Patriots, general NFL news and fantasy football.
“I would say there were a lot of Patriots fans out there asking about the over/under whether the Patriots would win 8.5 games this year,” Schefter said.
While walking down the fairway on the par-4 10th hole, Bradley’s caddie, Scott Vail, asked Schefter how he felt his front nine went.
“Great,” Schefter told Vail.
Schefter proceeded to refer to himself as a “fanboy.” He compared the experience to if Bradley, a well-documented New England sports fanatic, walked onto the field at Gillette Stadium before a Patriots game.
Bradley, playing in the Northeast’s lone PGA Tour event, received an outpouring of support as he usually does. New England natives always show support for their fellow New Englander, who graduated high school in Hopkinton, Mass., and owns a house north of the city. There were even some new-to-Travelers Championship cheers of “USA! USA!” and “Let’s go, captain!” in reference to Bradley’s leadership on the U.S. team, which heads to Bethpage Black Golf Course for the international event in late September.
“I get them every week, and I appreciate it so much,” Bradley said.
There was plenty of golf to cheer about, especially with how the twosome played. Both McIlroy and Bradley were tied for second place when they concluded their respective rounds at 6-under 64. Only Austin Eckroat scored better (8-under 62) in the morning with defending champion and World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler getting hot in the afternoon.
Golf fans, however, seemed to be just as starstruck by the football insider.