Todd ready to return to PGA Tour, willing to take on risks

Brendon Todd sees risks involved in the PGA Tour resuming its schedule next month, and he’s willing to take them.

Todd, who won back-toback weeks during the fall portion of the season, said the tour has begun to outline plans for the return June 11-14 at Colonial in Fort Worth, Texas.

He said players would need to test themselves at home for the new coronavirus, and then be tested at the tournament when they arrived and in the middle of the week. He said tests would include rules officials, walking scorers and even clubhouse employees who are preparing and serving food to the players.

He cited risks such as traveling with strangers without knowing where they’ve been. Todd said he expects there to be a designated hotel for the players. His biggest concern is a positive test at a tournament, meaning he would have to be quarantined for 14 days away from home.

“That’s my No. 1 reservation,” Todd said Tuesday. “But I’m willing to take the risk to get the tour started.”

The Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial is still five weeks away, and the tour is still working out details on testing, essential personnel on the course and even if players can bring their families.

Another issue to be determined is the use of the locker room.

“You could go away from that to provide the safest environment ... do everything they can to make it safe,” Todd said.

Most players use the locker room only to change shoes and stash equipment they might not be using.

“You’re talking to a guy who’s played 20 Monday qualifiers,” Todd said. “I’m all too used to changing shoes in the parking lot. It’s not that big of a deal.”

On the golf course, he doesn’t expect players to be wearing masks. And while it’s easy to maintain social distancing, there will be times when it gets tight on small tee boxes with three players and three caddies. As for rakes in the bunker and handling the pin, Todd says if everyone is tested, that shouldn’t be a problem.