Calum Hill savours 'strange' win during professional golf's coronavirus lockdown

Scottish golfer Calum Hill has admitted it was "strange" winning a tournament at a time when the professional game is in lockdown around the world.

Calum Hill, who is attached to Gleneagles Hotel, won on the Outlaw Tour in Arizona, where he is staying with his American girlfriend, Miranda

The 25-year-old was reflecting on his success on the Outlaw Tour, a satellite circuit in the US, in Arizona, where the governor has decreed golf as one of the state's "essential services and activities".

Hill, who headed to the west coast of America to stay with his girlfriend, Miranda, just before President Trump enforced a travel ban to the US, recorded a one-stroke success in the Verrado Founders Championship in Buckeye to pocket $4500.

"It was interesting," the European Tour card holder told The Scotsman. "We’re in America, where golf courses are not designed to be walked, so everyone has their own individual cart that has been sanitised before you start using it.

"Pins stay in with pvc pipe at the bottom so the ball doesn’t reach the bottom of the cup.

"There are no rakes in bunkers, so, if you had a shitty lie in someone's old footprint, you were allowed preferred lies by lifting, smoothing with your foot and placing back where it was.

"There was no water out on the course either in case you spread the virus by touching the button.

"All in all, strange but, at the end of the day, it was still good to be competing and it's good to get a win anywhere.

"No matter where it is, there will always be good players and the same goes for the Outlaw Tour."

Due to Governor Doug Ducey's decision to allow golf courses to stay open during the coronavirus, the ladies' Cactus Tour has also been taking place this week in the state.

"It's a bit of a luxury at a time in the world where many aren’t allowed to be near a golf course," added Hill, who was born in Kirkcaldy but now lives near Kinross.

"However, the Governor of Arizona has said golf courses are essential and will stay open with the appropriate precautionary measures.

"It is likely carts will probably be taken away, so people will have to walk, with flags staying in, no rakes or water and so on.

"I mean, every measure has been put into place in order for it to be as safe as possible."

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