Golf ’s back on course
First PGA event since the shutdown begins quietly sans fans
FORT WORTH — Not even Brian Harman’s 50-foot putt to save par on No. 1 broke the silence.
Harman was playing in the first group of the day, in the PGA Tour’s first tournament since mid-March, and had recovered after hitting a tee shot that landed in the rough on the dogleg right hole. But without spectators allowed on the course, Harman found himself without the usual cues of competition.
“I had to back off a couple putts because someone hit a tee shot,” said Harman, who finished his round with a 5-under-par 65. “I don’t remember being able to hear that here. There is usually a wall of people in between here and there, so you don’t hear that kind of stuff. It’s odd to see the place with no fans.”
After a three-month break because of the coronavirus pandemic, pro golf made a triumphant, if quiet, return Thursday with the Charles Schwab Challenge. For the players, who have not had a competitive event in 90 days, the first round was all about shaking off cobwebs from their hiatus.
Bryson DeChambeau said the fanless experience reminded him of a U.S. Open qualifier, an entry-level tournament where golfers are followed by family members or no one at all. “It was interesting but nice to not have to worry about anybody saying something weird,” said DeChambeau, who finished tied with Harman and a few other golfers. “I appreciate the fans, I love what they do.”
The first round of live golf also featured a stoppage of play at 8:46 a.m. Central Daylight Time, for a moment of silence to honor George Floyd, whose death in Minneapolis police custody
sparked worldwide protests. Players around the grounds, whether on the practice green, range or golf course, paused during the tribute. The tour will leave the 8:46 a.m. tee time vacant for every round of the tournament.
Top players flocked to Colonial Country Club, eager to get back to work, and represent the strongest field on the tour since last year’s FedEx Cup playoffs. The invitational event, which traditionally features about 120 players, was expanded to a field of 144. That list includes the top five ranked players in the world, and 16 of the top 20, with Tiger Woods as the most notable name missing.
Although the tournament traditionally attracts solid fields, most regulars are primarily veterans — steeped in the lore of the accomplished player and longtime Fort Worth resident Ben Hogan — who relish shaping iron shots around the tree-lined doglegs. Many power hitters often skip the event because the course negates their distance advantage.
None of the players really knew how their swings would fare in tournament conditions after such a long layoff, but with virtually no wind and calm conditions, Colonial was rendered defenseless.
Justin Rose, the No. 14ranked golfer who is two years removed from a victory here, seemed in top form. His 7-under 63 featured seven birdies and no bogeys.
“I think everyone has been trying to do their best to prepare, and we’re certainly all coming in rested, that’s for sure,” Rose said. “But no one quite knows where their tournament game is. Although my game wasn’t great the first few holes, I made a couple of putts, knocked one in from just off the green on my first hole of the day, so I looked at my caddie and went, ‘welcome back.’”
Some of the players’ off time was spent studying the tour’s 37-page participant resource guide detailing strict protocols for testing, disinfecting and social distancing. Players, caddies and tournament staff all underwent testing for the coronavirus before being allowed onto the course and will receive daily temperature checks and tracing questionnaires before being allowed into the clubhouse.
Some of the biggest draws, like the No. 1-ranked Rory McIlroy and No. 4ranked Justin Thomas, are making their first Colonial appearances. Others, like third-ranked Brooks Koepka and fifth-ranked Dustin Johnson, are making only their second and third appearances, respectively.
Johnson, who started on No. 10, shot 34 on his front nine but then bogeyed three of the next five holes. Rust was evident on the difficult fifth hole. About 20 yards from the green, he chunked his chip into the bunker, then scrambled for bogey. He finished with a 1-over 71.
“I was certainly a little bit rusty, nervous but had a good round going, then kind of let it slide there in the end,” said Phil Mickelson, the two-time Colonial champion, making only his second appearance here in the past 10 years. “But it was fun to be back out competing and hopefully I’ll play better each round.”
Like most players, the veteran Ryan Palmer spent much of the layoff playing at his home club, which happens to be Colonial. The Colleyville resident had the honor of hitting the opening tee shot on No. 1.
When Palmer’s group took off at 6:50 a.m. CDT the only sounds came from chirping birds and conversations from players. The flags did not move in the still air.
“Yeah, you hit a putt and it goes in, and you’re talking to yourself, making the crowd noise yourself, I guess,” said Palmer, who usually has one of the largest galleries during Colonial week. “It was a little different because I’m used to having a lot of friends and family out watching. But it was just great to be out there playing.”