The PGA Tour’s defining moment of a new beginning did not involve Rory McIlroy. Justin Rose’s 63 was notable but not the abiding memory from golf’s re-emergence.
Jay Monahan, the Tour’s commissioner, stood with head bowed on the 1st tee at Colonial as the clock struck 8.46am. This pre-planned moment of reflection was introduced – and shall remain for the next three days of the Charles Schwab Challenge – following the appalling death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Monahan earlier stated his Tour “commits to amplifying voices and efforts to end systemic issues of racial and social injustices”. It will take more than golf to heal the gaping race relations wound in the United States but this sport – where white males dominate – appears to have discovered a new level of consciousness. Actions speak far louder than 60 seconds of poignancy and a stoppage in play but this was continuation of what appears a genuinely held Monahan theme.
Ninety one days had passed between the abandonment of the Players Championship and round one at Colonial, with the PGA Tour relatively sharp from the traps after coronavirus applied a handbrake to the world. Pre-tournament Covid-19 tests had all returned negative results. By the time McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka led the afternoon wave of play, events inside the ropes at least appeared pretty standard. Outside came the marked change; there are no galleries.
Golf in this form is flat, of that there is no question. There are members of this 148-man field who would quietly disclose that events without spectators are fine by them – “Get in the hole” jars after the 30,000th scream – but the spectacle is diminished. Rare applause was left to volunteers or coaches and even they appeared bashful. Golfers, as with all individual sportspeople, are notoriously caught up in their own cosseted bubble but one imagines the novelty of a backdrop akin to a junior tournament will inevitably wear off.
Not that Rose seems remotely bothered. The 39-year-old spent two weeks in quarantine before this tournament, after he arrived in the US from his home in the Bahamas. Whatever Rose did during that isolation worked; he was seven under before saving par from 92ft at the 4th, his 13th. Five subsequent pars carried him home with a blemish-free card.
Perhaps Rose relished his chance to reset. Having reached the summit of the world rankings early in 2019, the Englishman has endured a curious slide. He entered this week at No14. Rose has a curtailed season in which to continue a remarkable run; he has returned victory at least once in every year since a barren 2009. Olympic gold is included in that haul.
There were other matters to trigger minor intrigue. Coaches were warned by the Tour about “repeatedly” getting too close and personal with their pupils. “A rope line will be added to the range – 8-10ft behind hitting bays – as an added safety measure,” read a memo as the Tour looks to control renegade swing masters.
Dustin Johnson has not been able to shake the habit of spitting on golf courses, abhorrent enough before personal hygiene became such a matter of global significance. If there is a golfing god, one day Johnson will gob all over himself.
That Rose’s lucrative relationship with the equipment manufacturer Honma was not for the long term was evident in March, after he removed their clubs from his bag during the Florida swing. A formal parting of the ways was announced last month.
Rose displayed no branding whatsoever on his bag in Texas, illustrating that he remains in the market for a new official supplier. Whatever his current tools of choice are, Rose can have no complaints. A noticeably bulked up Bryson DeChambeau was generating 200mph speed with his driver and duly sent one such shot 346 yards.
And then there was the case of Grayson Murray, whose PGA Tour return lasted just 12 holes. Murray was seven over par at the point where felt like his best bet. A penny for the thoughts of Ben Martin, the first reserve. Ian Poulter returned an impressive 66, with Shane Lowry, still the Open champion, one over after a 71. “I feel very comfortable with everything that’s taken place this week,” said Poulter. “It’s great to be back.”
Brian Harman, who signed for a 65 having played in the first group, branded the scene “interesting” and “a little odd”. Harman added: “It’s nice to get out the house.” Small mercies and all that.