The PGA Tour plans to honor George Floyd every day at Colonial
The PGA Tour will have a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. during every round of the Charles Schwab Challenge this week in Fort Worth. No one will tee off at that time.
The tour announced plans as a way “to pay our respects to the memory of George Floyd.”
Floyd’s death last month in Minneapolis has sparked protests against racial injustices across the country. Floyd, an African American man, died after a white police officer pinned him to the ground with a knee on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds.
Harold Varner III, one of only two African Americans in the Colonial field along with Texas A&M product Cameron Champ, says it is the right thing for the tour to do.
“I think this week won’t be the last week, because it’s getting to the point where everyone has a voice that if the PGA Tour was to forget it, they would get hounded every day,” Varner said. “So it’s just kind of like yes, they’re pressured, but I also think that it’s the right thing to do. I think Jay (Monahan, PGA Tour commissioner) knows that, so I’m super behind him on that. We got to talking about some things where I come from, what I think about it.
“I’m just super fortunate to be able to say something and it matter but also be a part of the change. Everyone in this society right now is going to be a part of that.”
That feeling was shared among fellow players.
“I think it’s great,” said Ryan Palmer, the Texas A&M product who lives in Colleyville. “It’s been crazy obviously watching what you see on TV, but I think it’s great to show our support just for America in general. It’s been a tough few weeks for a lot of people I know.”
Added Jon Rahm, the No. 2-ranked player in the world and two-time Ben Hogan Award winner: “I have black friends. I’m friends with a lot of athletes. At the same time, as a human being, I can’t fathom the reason why anybody would treat somebody differently just the way you look or they sound or what you believe in. We’re all the same. We’re all human beings, and we should all be treated the same way.”
There will not be a tee time at 8:46 a.m. and rules officials will begin the moment of silence with three horn blasts.
Palmer honored
Palmer will have the unique distinction of officially restarting the PGA Tour season. He’ll hit the first tee shot in the first group off on Thursday.
Palmer is scheduled to tee off at 6:50 a.m. Thursday with Bill Haas and Brian Harman.
“I thought, what a cool moment,” Palmer said. “As a member of Colonial Country Club, a local, it was a very, very nice gesture. I was very honored to be asked to do it. I think it’s going to be great, and I’m so excited to be the first guy to hit that first shot in our return to golf.”
Caddie edge?
Justin Thomas, the No. 4 player in the world, is making his Colonial debut. No player has won their debut event since Sergio Garcia in 2001.
But Thomas’ learning curve shouldn’t be too steep. His caddie, Jimmy Johnson, has called Colonial his favorite course to caddie. And Johnson has had success, winning the tournament with Nick Price in 2002 and Steve Stricker in 2009.
“I’ll be able to rely on him,” Thomas said. “I’ll definitely be using him quite often this week.”
As far as his first impressions, Thomas gave the course a thumbs up.
“It’s awesome,” he said. “It’s a place that I’ve always watched on TV, and I love how it looks. It’s a fun tournament to watch. It’s just unfortunate it never comes at a good time in the schedule.”
Thomas was scheduled to make his Colonial debut in 2019, but withdrew with an injury.
This story was originally published June 9, 2020 at 3:44 PM.
