- Englishman hits blemish-free 63 at Charles Schwab Challenge
- Tournament starts with silence in honour of George Floyd
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.
Related: ‘My hero was Tiger Woods’: Rory McIlroy urges tolerance and education in golf
