Lonard returns from injury at Nissan Open

BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2004 Nissan Open | General | 18 Feb 2004

Peter Lonard has arrived in L.A to play his first competitive event in two months and since his Australian Open win, when he tees it up on Thursday at the Nissan Open. The following is an extract from his website www.peterlonard.com

Speaking from a car en route from L.A. airport Lonard expressed his delight about a return to the tournament scene.

“I had almost forgotten what travel was all about but things are going pretty good. I still haven’t played a full 18 holes since the injury but I’ve worked as hard as I have been able to and mechanically I think it is fine. It’s really just a matter of how long it’s going to take me to get my feet back on the ground as far as competitive golf is concerned and get to the point where it is automatic again.”

“As far as the swing is concerned I have no pain from the rib so although just about everything else hurts, it is looking good.”

“After the first day where I probably hurt too many balls just about everything hurt, my back, my legs but that was more a case of not having hit balls for so long.”

“I’m looking forward to the course. It’s a great course. It’s very similar to some of the clay based courses in Sydney. They have made some further changes this year. I always feel comfortable on it and it has its fair share of long and short holes and as such it is an interesting course where it is not just a case of smashing the hell out of it. I have actually played ok there in my two times to the event, but have not putted all that well although I am feeling quite good about my putting at present.”

With the enforced break Lonard’s schedule may change for the balance of the year.

“I’m going to play the next three weeks which includes this event, the Accenture and the Ford Championship. I will have a week off the week of the Honda then play Bay Hill, the Players Championship and the Bell South before the Masters. I also have to consider this year just what I will do re my European Tour commitment as, by missing the two events in Australia, I am behind the eight ball in terms of the minimum 11 events that are needed to keep my card there. I guess I can cross that bridge when I come to it and it is all relative as to how I start the year.”

An audio interview with Lonard may be heard by visiting www.peterlonard.com