Four Canadians are currently in the Top 100 on the World Golf Rankings, a first for our country. But there’s a lot of uncertainty on the PGA Tour these days, says PGA Tour winner Adam Hadwin, as professional golf deals with the challenges of Covid-19 and a reworked schedule.
“I don’t want to feel like this is life as normal, but it is starting to feel kind of normal.” says Abbotsford, BC native Adam Hadwin when asked about the new protocols the PGA Tour has in place since the restart.
Hadwin says there was a great degree of uncertainty in the first few weeks of the tour’s return following the cancellation of events in the wake of the pandemic. For him personally, there was a new baby in the house—a daughter—and he had to determine what was best for his young family who couldn’t travel with him. Would he risk bringing Covid-19 home? Should he stay out on the road for longer periods of time before returning to his Arizona home?
Since the renewed PGA Tour season, Hadwin finished T35 at last week’s Workday Charity Open and also played in the Charles Schwab Challenge, RBC Heritage as well as the Rocket Mortgage Classic. There was also some minor controversy when he was initially passed over for being mic’d up during play at the Charles Schwab Challenge but was selected to wear one during the Heritage.
Now, five weeks into the return, Hadwin says he’s focused on improving his finishes, and trying to ignore the distractions brought about by Covid-19.
“With the testing at the beginning of each week, I think the tour is showing it is doing the best it can,” he said. “For me, once I’m on the grounds, I’m just going back to work and trying to focus on my game.”
A homebody, Hadwin says heading to the course, grabbing some takeout, and holing up in a hotel room is natural to him. He’s also not worried about the handful of golfers who have tested positive for the virus, saying that is just a sign that the protocols set up by the PGA Tour are working.
One thing he is paying attention to is the state of his game—and that of the other Canadians on tour. Hadwin started the 2019-20 season strongly, with two Top 5 finishes in his first two events. Since then, the Canadian has made cuts, but not played to his standard. “I’m in a great spot on the FedExCup standings, but I just can’t put four good rounds together at the moment,” he said. “But I’ll keep grinding. There’s enough good things in my game right now.”
With fellow Canadian Mackenzie Hughes’ strong finish third-place tie at the Traveler’s Championship, the country has something new to be proud of—four Canadians in the Top 100 in the world, a new first. Currently Hadwin, at 53, is the highest-ranked golfer in the country, followed closely by Corey Conners at 66, and Hughes at 97. Nick Taylor, who won earlier this year, sits at 100.
Hadwin says the system is set to recognize consistently high performance. “I’ve been between 40 and 70 for the better part of three years, and I’ll tell you it is hard to crack the Top 100,” he said. “It just makes you appreciate how the top guys—Rory and DJ and others—keep it up.”