FORT WORTH, Texas – They will play a golf tournament this week, starting Thursday at Colonial Country Club.

Even without spectators, social distance, face covering, hand sanitizers, COVID-19 tests and the so-called “bubbles”, the PGA Tour has been trying to make it in the first tournament back after a three-month forced absence, Charles this week Charles Schwab Challenge has the chance to restore the normal resemblance to not only golf, but also sports.

“I think this week is very important because golf will be the center of the world of sports,” Rory McIlroy said on Wednesday. “So that people have something to watch on TV where they really don’t know the results, I think it will be good for them.”

Part of the normal return will be a wrestling match between McIlroy and Brooks Koepka for world number 1 – which McIlroy has at the moment, many of which upset Cheprin.

Both of them have built up healthy, if a little controversial, frenemy competition in the past year-plus, with Koepka openly tinkering with McIlroy for not winning a major championship since 2014 and McIlroy is back serving with some of his own thorns. Both players have four major career championships, but Koepka has won all four of them in the past three years, something that Koepka reminded McIlroy of.

One thing the two players agreed on was: If no fans were allowed in the Ryder Cup, then no Ryder Cup should be played in September, when scheduled at the Whistling Straits.

I strongly agree.

One thing to hold the first four PGA Tour events without spectators. The Ryder Cup is a different animal altogether. Although it’s still golf, the Ryder Cup is almost a different sport from regular tournament golf. The Ryder Cup is closer to a football match than the PGA Tour event.

Koepka, who is currently second behind McIlroy, revealed on Wednesday that he would consider sitting in the Ryder Cup if played without a spectator.

Koepka, who leads the US Ryder Cup points list and is key to being part of the team, was asked if he could see a scenario where a player could boycott the event if the American PGA chose to continue with the Ryder Cup without fans.

“Yes,” he said.

Asked if he might receive a pass, Koepka said, “Maybe,” added, “as players, I think we all know why they play or why we will play.”

Money, of course, is that reason.

“That’s the only reason,” Koepka answered, rubbing his index finger and thumb together and adding, “Give it to Johnny Football,” an ode to Johnny Manziel’s signature movements.

When McIlroy was asked if he, like Koepka, would consider not playing, he said he was “pretty sure” the governing body “wouldn’t” hold a Ryder Cup without fans and that he would not be faced with that decision.

“Look, I like the Ryder Cup,” McIlroy said. “But I can’t see it running without fans. I think there are enough people in the game who don’t want the Ryder Cup to happen without fans. That’s why it will be played this year with fans if we can do that, or have to find a way to kick it down the way to the later date. “

Colonial was the first of four PGA Tour events that were played without spectators as the sport slowly reappeared from a forced pandemic pause. The Memorial, which will be played in July, is the first event expected to allow fans, but with a capacity of 20 percent than usual.

“The fans made the show, the fans made it special,” said Koepka. “This is different from other golf tournaments that we play. That is a true sporting event. If we can have fans, it’s perfect, and if we can’t, it seems like an exhibition. ”

Now, back to our scheduled programming: Koepka is trying to catch up with McIlroy and rank No. 1 that.

Starting with this week, it looks like both players will play the first three of these four spectatorless matches. So, game on. Bring it.

“Yes, I’ve seen Rory,” said Koepka. “That is the goal – to return to No. 1 in the world. That is the essence of the game – to be the best. If I do what I am supposed to do, if I take care of my business, then I see no reason why I cannot go back there. .

“Injured [knee] and then when I started playing again the first two months, I dug a little hole. But you play well, you win, everything will work itself out. ‘

Even without fans who are there to cheer you up.