Incoming first-year James receives sponsor exemption for PGA’s Travelers Championship

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

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Incoming Virginia men’s golfer Ben James has accepted a sponsor exemption for the 2022 Travelers Championship. He is one of four top amateur players who will compete in the event. The tournament will take place June 20-26 at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn.

James, a 19-year-old from Milford, Conn., is the top-ranked boys junior golfer in the country according to the American Junior Golf Association. He has finished in the top three of his last six American Junior Golf Association events, winning four times. He narrowly missed out on qualifying for this year’s U.S. Open, losing on Monday in an 8-for-3 playoff at a sectional qualifier in Purchase, New York.

Chris Gotterup, Cole Hammer and Michael Thorbjornsen will join James in the field thanks to sponsor exemptions. Gotterup was recently named winner of the Haskins Award, recognizing the most outstanding NCAA Division I golfer for the 2021-2022 season. Hammer finished his college career earlier this month by helping to lead Texas to the NCAA team championship. Thorbjornsen just completed his sophomore season at Stanford, where he led the Cardinal in scoring average (70.66) and helped the team reach the NCAA Championships.

“There are many outstanding players we consider for these exemptions, but Chris, Cole, Michael and Ben have separated themselves with their play and we’re thrilled to offer them spots in this year’s Travelers Championship,” said tournament director Nathan Grube. “Chris and Cole are embarking on their professional careers while Michael and Ben have college golf in their future. It’s a special time for all four of these young players.”

The Travelers Championship is one of the premier events on the PGA TOUR and part of the FedExCup series. The tournament supports the TOUR’s Tradition of Giving Back by donating 100 percent of net proceeds to charities.