A QUICK PEEK INTO THE LIVES OF TOUR PLAYERS AND HOW THEY ARE KILLING TIME — APART FROM TRAINING – WHILE UNDER “HOUSE ARREST” DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
By SYAMA RAMASAMY
If you’re one who yearns to explore the world, experience a myriad of cultures, traditions, foods, sights – letting your wanderlust nurture your soul – getting the coveted opportunity to do just that whilst earning a living by doing what you love the most (and are enviably apt at) is an extraordinary gift.
Professional golfers are indeed a privileged bunch. Though living out of a suitcase (or should I say, golf bag) for the better part of a year must surely take its toll – especially if there’s a wife/husband and kids back home – they probably wouldn’t trade it for the world.
But just like virtually the rest of humanity at present, globetrotting golfers have been forced to “serve house arrest” as the world’s elite tours take a break in light of the madness that is the Covid-19 pandemic, adhering to and advocating social distancing and self-isolation.
So how exactly are the typically-jetsetting golfers coping with this unprecedented global anomaly that has everyone locked on to social media as a flurry of virus-related memes, jokes and videos whizz through cyberspace, proving perhaps that laughter IS the best medicine as we try to keep ourselves occupied and sanity intact.
Bent on preserving their pre-lockdown form and feel – ready for serious competition once the ‘corona curve’ takes a nosedive and things get back to normal – a number of golfers have been putting up golfing tips on their socials, sharing tricks of the trade with fans.
Image Source: Twitter @ Padraig Harrington
Three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington, for example, has thus far uploaded a series of instructional videos on Twitter and Instagram (#PaddyGolfTips) whilst sitting out corona season back home in Ireland, sharing with fans invaluable tips on hitting low shots, chipping from different lies, putting and how to read the line on a putt, to name a few – slipping in pictures of family pooch Wilson, “just chilling”, in between.
“Like everyone else, I have had a lot of time at home these past few weeks. I hope everyone is following guidelines and staying safe,” said Harrington on Instagram, who’s set to put on the captain’s hat for Team Europe in September’s Ryder Cup as they take on Team USA at Whistling Straits.
“I’ll post tips here over the coming days and keep updating my page with fresh content as much as I can from now on. Hope you enjoy.”
Image Source: Twitter @ Billy Horschel / Twitter @ Sarah Kemp
Others, meanwhile, have been sharing challenge and trick shot videos as they continue to work on perfecting their swing – whilst being house-bound. As the saying goes, ‘necessity is the mother of invention’, and sure enough, household items such as empty containers and toilet rolls double up as practice props. The ‘Ladder Challenge’ – the golf version of ‘beer pong’ – had the likes of American Billy Horschel attempting to strike off boxes or containers stacked on each rung of a, you guessed it, ladder. Aussie Sarah Kemp, inspired by Horschel, took on the challenge as well, apart from using the net and practicing her putting with a mat – in between reading and “eating too much”.
The TaylorMade Bounce Challenge got heavyweights such as Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Dustin Johnson doing ‘keepie uppies’ with the ‘little white ball’; even our very own Green brothers – Gavin and Galven – got in on the action.
Twenty-time LPGA Tour winner Inbee Park too hopped onto the challenge bandwagon, chipping from inside her home into a water-weighted clear container – albeit with added distraction in the form of Rio, her fluffy Golden Retriever, eager to “retrieve” anything air-borne.
Other LPGA players have taken to video-based social media app TikTok for a little bit of fun; Alison Lee started a dance chain, challenging her tour pals such as Cheyenne Woods, Michelle Wie, Lydia Ko and Nelly Korda to join in.
Image Source: Twitter @ Alison Lee
Board games such as Scrabble, Monopoly and Risk seem to be a hit at four-time PGA Tour winner Xander Schauffele’s residence in San Diego, enjoying a game or two whenever his brother, who lives minutes away, drops by.
“Haven’t really taken a deep dive in any card games yet,” says Schauffele, who’s b
een self-isolating at his apartment with his girlfriend and their puppy. “It’s been strange. I haven’t completely lost it, but speaking for myself I’ve lost a sense of purpose in terms of work.
“I could play in a tour event tomorrow,” added the young man who was 12th in the FedExCup when the season was suspended. “I feel like I can pick my clubs up and play whenever.”
Reigning Masters champ Tiger Woods, who had been dealing with back problems since the start of 2020, said he would have competed at Augusta National this month (originally scheduled for April 9-12) before it was announced that the 84th edition of the storied Major would be postponed to November this year.
“There are a lot more important things in life than a golf tournament right now,” tweeted Woods. “We need to be safe, smart and do what is best for ourselves, our loved ones and our community.”
So what has the 15-time Major winner been up to while waiting out the corona spell? Putting together an “ungodly puzzle” with his kids and girlfriend Erica Harmon.
“I’ve been trying to help Sam and Erica with this ungodly puzzle that they have,” said Woods in an interview with GOLFTV. “They have just finished a 2,000-piece puzzle and now there’s a 3,000-piece puzzle! I struggle as I’m partially colour blind – I don’t know certain colours, so I find myself asking is this right, is that right? They get sick and tired of me asking. They end up shooing me away from the puzzle. Once the borders are done, I’m useless.”
Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri, meanwhile, has been channelling his inner Jamie Oliver, getting busy in the kitchen with wife Ipsa as they churn out cooking videos (#CookingWithTheLahiris).
“Here I go bungling in the kitchen again,” says Anirban on Twitter, posting Episode 3 featuring a simple mushroom curry dish; previous uploads featured malai chingri (which translates to ‘creamy shrimp’) and Indian scrambled eggs, served with paratha (a type of Indian bread).
Anirban says he’s also resumed practicing yoga. “It’s nice to see my body responding to it,” he says. “I’ve not been disciplined with yoga over the last few years as golf has basically taken up all my time. When you play well, you kind of create more time to do things to support it and when you are not playing well, you spend time working on your game, putting or being at the range.”
Another of India’s top-ranked golfer Rashid Khan continues to stay physically and mentally fit, with hopes of teeing up at the Olympic Games next year. His go-to workout is Tae Bo, an exercise programme created by American fitness guru Billy Blanks, whom Rashid follows on YouTube.
“Billy Blanks is good. What he does is called Tae Bo and it’s a total martial art technique and helps total body fitness with martial arts. He has thousands of followers from all over,” noted Rashid on the Asian Tour website.
Rashid, whose last event was the Bandar Malaysia Open, has also been busy with PS4 games and playing with his young nephew, but admits he misses going out to play at the course or competing at events. “That is not in our hands. Golf is not like other games, but the key is to stay strong mentally and to stay fit.”
He adds, “There’s nothing more relaxing than playing with my 15-month-old nephew, and he is a delight. I love that time. When I am on tour, I have no time for these things, so I might as well make the most of it now.”
