BELMONT, Mass. — The Constellation Senior Players Championship’s first practice round began Tuesday morning at Belmont Country Club, as the world’s best senior golfers rolled into town to vie for one of the Champions Tour’s five major titles.
The contestants, which include five World Golf Hall of Famers, started arriving at the course around 9 a.m. under cloudy skies, and were welcomed by a small contingent of fans. Practice rounds are loosely organized, with players free to roam from hole to hole or play some simple pitch-and-putt on the practice greens.
Four-time PGA Tour event winner Joe Durant’s routine mirrored the laid-back nature of the morning. After a short time on the practice green, Durant strolled to the first tee box and elected to swing away without a single preparatory hack.
Participants have another practice round and a pro-am Wednesday, before the competition heats up Thursday with the tournament’s first round. Bernard Langer, one of the World Golf Hall of Famers in the field, will be back to defend his Senior Players title.
Thumbnail photo via Rob Schumacher/USA TODAY Sports Images
