Covid-19: How Are Golf Pros Coping With Self-Isolation and Lockdown?

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It's an undoubtedly crazy time around the world at present and many of us are having to self-isolate or socially distance ourselves to help halt the spread of the coronavirus. Despite the glitz and glamour of the professional golf world, the biggest stars in the game are just as heavily impacted as many of us mere mortals.

We've been taking a keen interest in what the best players in the game have been getting up to over the past few days, and how they've been coping with this period of global self-isolations and lockdowns. Here's some of what has caught our eye!

Rory McIlroy

With the Official World Golf Rankings having been paused for the coming months as the world battles the invisible enemy that is Covid-19, Rory will remain world number one for a sizeable portion of 2020.

He's been laying down the gauntlet to his golfing buddies in an off-the-course sense too. As he aims to maintain his tip-top physique through a gruelling fitness regime, the Northern Irishman smashed all-comers in a Peloton head-to-head - leaving Justin Thomas, Billy Horschell and Charley Hoffman in his wake in the process.

Ian Poulter

As you might expect for such a big personality in the game, Ian Poulter has been very active and extremely entertaining on social media over the past week or two.

The post that absolutely caught our eye - and made us just a little envious at the same time - was a video of the flamboyant Englishman showing off his Formula One driving simulator. That would certainly make self-isolation a little easier to manage!!

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I’m trying to learn the Bahrain GP circuit. Completed my first 20 laps. I’m already getting nervous as to why.. But a very technical track and is needing some serious focus. Running Ultra Soft tires and not much fuel I’ve done a couple of laps 1.29.9 which I’m Very happy with. Now need to see the areas I keep making mistakes on. Calling on all racing drivers for help please. @lewishamilton @landonorris @charles_leclerc @pierregasly @danielricciardo @lance_stroll @estebanocon @kimimatiasraikkonen @maxverstappen1 @alex_albon @sambird_official all help greatly appreciated. I hope I’m a quick learner. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🏎🏁 @veloce_esports @f1

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Brooks Koepka

Brooks is known as one of the longest hitters on Tour and regularly throws the proverbial 'kitchen sink' at every ball from the tee-box.

His coach Claude Harmon III shared a video of the former world number one hitting absolute bombs left-handed with driver with some of them touching the 300-yard mark for total distance. The four-time major champ also managed to hit his 8-iron almost 200 yards before calling on buddies Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas to 'bring it'.

Shots fired, indeed.

Padraig Harrington

The current European Ryder Cup captain has been posting a series of videos on Twitter to help amateur golfers improve different aspects of their golf game.

One of of our favourites landed back on March 21 (World Down Syndrome Day) with the three-time major winner explaining to amateur golfers how they should swing to achieve the perfect strike.

Billy Horschel

Though he failed to keep with Rory McIlroy in the peloton, Billy Horschel has been taking every challenge put his way to help keep in shape during this period of downtime.

This one was a little less strenuous - but at least it kept his young children involved at the same time. Double win!!

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Been tagged a lot in this push-up challenge. So I did 10 with each kid. Well maybe only 9 with one. Whoever wants to join in go ahead.

A post shared by Billy Horschel (@billyho_golf) on

Justin Rose

Just because many of us are stuck indoor for the foreseeable future it doesn't mean we can't work on our golf game - even if it's just a little.

Justin Rose has been personally making the most of a bad situation by working on his chipping action indoors - and showing off a little at the same time. Those of you Hole19ers  who have a pool table to use at home during lockdown can give this a try too.

We reckon it's harder than the current Olympic champion makes it look!!

Tiger Woods

Having only watched Tiger at two professional tournaments so far in 2020, many of us were buzzing to see the 15-time major champ defend his Masters title at Augusta National in the coming weeks.

With sport now taking a back seat for the coming weeks and months, we'll all have to wait until later in the year for that particular golfing pleasure.

Some things are more important than golf, so, with that in mind, we'll leave the final word to the GOAT.

At this time it is extremely important that every one of us follow relevant governmental advice. While it's still possible to play golf in certain regions while taking precautions, the key message is for us all to do what is asked of us to help halt the spread of Covid-19.

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