Travelers Championship: Justin Rose makes solid start, Charley Hoffman leads thanks to 61

Justin Rose: Being announced as US Open champion was 'sweeter moment than I thought it would be'

US Open champion Justin Rose returned to action with a three-under 67 to leave him six shots behind first-round leader Charley Hoffman at the Travelers Championship.

Rose, just four days removed from his major breakthrough at Merion, stuttered early on before finishing off his round in a blaze of birdies.
The Englishman picked up a shot at the first but then had three bogeys in reaching the turn at one over.

First round leaderboard

(US unless stated)
-9 C Hoffman
-8 H Mahan
-7 B Watson

But he birdied four of five holes from the 12th to finish the day in good shape.
Rose said: "I got to the first tee and there was a nice crowd assembled there. I felt very calm, focused and ready to play golf.
"And then that happened (introduced as US Open champion) and I felt a smile come across my face. It was a sweeter moment than I thought it would be."
Hoffman took advantage of good scoring conditions on the back nine at TPC River Highlands to come home in 28 shots, including eagles at the 10th and 13th.
He is one ahead of his fellow American Hunter Mahan, who briefly flirted with a 59 before parring the last three holes in his eight-under 62.
Former Masters champion Bubba Watson is a stroke further back after a 63, while Graham DeLaet, Zach Johnson, John Merrick, Rod Pampling, Webb Simpson and Camilio Villegas all managed 65s to sit in a share of fourth on five under.