'When play resumes...make no mistake, the guys who live in the USA will be at a distinct advantage'
Wayne Riley: Easier For American-Based Golfers During Covid-19 Lockdown
Hello everyone, and I hope you’re doing as well as can be expected in lockdown.
It’s certainly a strange time, but just think about how good that first round of golf back is going to be, and how great your first pint in the pub will taste!
I’m in Ascot at the moment and the other day I was going for my allocated walk when a car pulled up next to me.
I asked him what he was doing and he said he was on the way back from mowing his father-in-law’s lawn.
I asked if he’d been able to practice and he said no, not one bit, so I said ‘fair enough, you’ve got to make some money somehow!”
I’m thinking about the guys who played the Challenge Tour all last season, earning very little but securing their place on the European Tour for 2020.
It must be so tough for those pros who can’t do work with their coach or go to the range and beat balls.
And even those who have practice facilities at home must sometimes struggle for motivation when there’s currently no return in sight.
When play on the professional circuits resumes, there will be a lot of rust on the better players’ clubs and swings.
It won’t take them long to get back, but there could be an opportunity for some members if they’re ready and prepared to hit the ground running.
Make no mistake, though – the guys who live in the USA will be at a distinct advantage.
I’m thinking of resorts like Lake Nona, where the likes of Stenson, Poulter and McDowell make their home, and the Bears Club down in West Palm Beach where McIlroy has settled.
Practice won’t be an issue like it may be in the UK.
Players are always tinkering with it, but what are they going to do now they can’t visit the tour truck or go to their manufacturers’ factories?
As long as I was able to keep my eye off the box of white wine in the corner, I’d be forever tinkering in there.
Sometimes, I feel, it’s a good idea to be involved with your own equipment.
Something else that’s a huge part of modern golf is fitness.
Once again, the rich players have their own gyms at home, but the journeymen and those who yoyo between the top tier and second tier most likely don’t.
It’s very easy to take your foot off the gas and let lethargy take hold, but those who are able to maintain their commitment, focus and desire will benefit in the long run.
As for when this all gets going again, who knows, but I’ll tell you what: it’ll be easier for the PGA Tour than the European Tour.
They’ve got so much money over there and if most of the players are in the States already, they could potentially drive around the country to compete.
There’s so much up in the air still and I wouldn’t like to speculate, but as with everything else, there will be knock-on effects.
I’m glad I’m not the one having to make tough decisions, that’s for sure.
