U.S. Open the best golf event of 2006; Connecticut PGA Tour stop offers new $6 million purse

The United States Open at Winged Foot was the best golf tournament of 2006, according to Inside Golf’s Gary Van Sickle. It had all the elements of great drama, including a past champion returning to competition after a layoff only to fumble (Tiger Woods) and the PGA Tour man of the moment self destructing on route to what could have been a third straight major victory (Phil Mickelson). The British Open at Royal Liverpool ranked second, followed by the Kraft Nabisco Championship at Mission Hills …

The Travelers Championship, a PGA Tour stop in Connecticut, is looking to attract some big time tour players next year by offering a new $6 million purse and upgrading the course at the TPC at River Highlands in Cromwell, organizers of the event announced late last week. The event, which used to be called the Greater Hartford Open and Buick Championship, has struggled recently as corporate sponsors have pulled back support …

NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson broke his wrist after falling off a golf cart at a recent celebrity tournament. People representing Johnson said he was “horsing around” on top of a golf cart when he fell off.