The PGA Tour is back. Most professional sports have been shut down for three months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve gone 13 weeks without tournaments but on Thursday, golf’s biggest names will compete at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Texas, but the tournament won’t quite be what we’re used to.
What’s different?
No fans—at least for the first few events. The PGA Tour, which has announced a testing partner to conduct COVID-19 tests on players and support staff, aren’t allowing any spectators for the first five events, and they’ll have limited staff on site. That means you’re not going to hear any roars from the gallery if Rory holes one to win—which will make the atmosphere unlike anything we’re used to.
What about the players?
The biggest names are showing up at Colonial, but don’t expect their games to be sharp. Jon Rahm, for instance, said he’d barely played in the previous seven weeks. That said, some players have agreed to wear mics for the event—which will certainly add a different perspective. Golf Channel has tried having players wear mics in the past with mixed success; it’ll be interesting to see how it works this time around.
How is COVID-19 impacting pro golf?
The pandemic is disrupting everything—including the way the tournament at Colonial is being broadcast. Jim Nantz will broadcast for CBS on location, but others—including Nick Faldo—will offer their perspective from the Orlando studios of Golf Channel. The PGA Tour will also be testing its players regularly.
“Testing will be conducted by lab technicians who will be traveling to tournaments in one of three mobile testing units,” the tour said. The mobile unit will be on site throughout the tournament. Anyone that tests positive will be forced to leave.
A tribute for George Floyd
The PGA Tour will pay tribute to George Floyd this week with a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. each day. The time represents the eight minutes and 46 seconds Floyd was held on the ground by former police officer Derek Chauvin.