OPEN OFFERS Lowry more than ready to start playing again with Tour taking extra care over regulations and testing
OPEN champion Shane Lowry is more than happy to be involved as the PGA Tour aims to return next month.
With June 11 pencilled in for the Charles Schwab Challenge in Texas, the Offaly native is content with the health and safety procedures in place.
It’s one of three June tournaments Lowry plans to play in, with the RBC Heritage in South Carolina and the Travelers Championship Connecticut the other two.
“Personally I’m ok about playing it (the Charles Schwab Challenge),” he said yesterday. “I’m going to go play. The PGA Tour, they’re a huge organisation, and they’ll do all the right things to make sure everyone’s safe, and nobody gets sick.
“We’ll have to wait and see how it goes. I’m not really one to comment on how people are dealing with it, or how the government or anyone in power is dealing with the whole thing.
“I’m doing my own thing, and myself and Wendy are trying to be as safe as we can,” he told
RTE Radio One.
The PGA Tour has provided players with home testing kits, which must be used three days before the event starts, and they won’t be allowed to travel to tournaments until they’re given the all clear.
On top of that, they’ll be tested at the course at the start and the end of the tournament. Additionally, players will log their movements and interactions as they travel to and from tournaments across the US, something that Lowry finds reassuring.
“Along the road, travelling through airports, that type of stuff can be picked up,” Lowry added. “So everyday you fill out forms, and you get tested at the start and end of the week.
“It seems like they’re going to be very regimental in how they do stuff, and you’re going to be getting basically screened every day you go to the golf course.
“Everybody stays in the same hotel, and nobody’s allowed to leave to go to restaurants, so it is quite strict.
“But I’m pretty happy that we’re back playing golf, and I’m really looking forward to the competitive side of it.”
Yesterday was 11 years to the day since Lowry famously won the Irish Open as a amateur (inset) at a rain-lashed Baltray.
Recalling the memorable final day which ended with Lowry taking the title in a play-off against Robert Rock but it was the Englishman who walked off with the €500,000 prize.
“He got the big cheque but I was more than happy with just winning the tournament,” said Lowry.
“To be honest I did very well to come back and compose myself (after missed putt to win). I showed a lot of character I think and it showed me a lot about myself. Thinking back on it, it’s just incredible memories.”