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(Reuters) - World
number one Dustin Johnson makes his return to the PGA Tour after
being diagnosed with COVID-19 last month, headlining a packed
field at the Houston Open, which begins on Thursday and offers
players a final tune-up before the Masters.
Four-time major winner Brooks Koepka, returning champion Lanto
Griffin, five-time major winner Phil Mickelson and 2013 Masters
winner Adam Scott are among the contenders descending on the
newly-refurbished Memorial Park Golf Course, the tournament's
new venue.
Johnson, who won the Tour Championship to claim his first-ever
FedExCup title in September and then finished tied for sixth at
the U.S. Open, said he returned to practice last Monday after
missing two tournaments he had expected to play.
"For me it was very mild and obviously I'm very thankful for
that," the 36-year-old American told reporters on Wednesday. "It
definitely puts a wrench in your plans on what you were trying
to do."
The 2016 U.S. Open winner is among the favourites to win the
Masters at Augusta, which is being played without fans and
starts on Nov. 12 after being delayed from April, its
traditional spot on the calendar, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Koepka, who along with fellow American Xander Schauffele
finished in a tie for second with Johnson at last year's
Masters, said that he was looking forward to a handful of fans
attending the Houston Open, a rarity in the COVID-19 era.
"As players, we become accustomed to having so many people out
there watching, cheering," said Koepka, twice winner of the PGA
Championship and the U.S. Open.
"It makes you feel good when you make birdie, eagle, whatever,
great par save, great shot, anything. But it definitely is a
different feel, it's weird. I'm anxious to have fans back."
(Reporting by Amy Tennery; Editing by Toby Davis)
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