With PGA Tour Events Postponed and Canceled, Golf Pros Turn to Peloton

From Bicycling

In the face of a postponed race season, the cancellation of group rides, and widespread stay-at-home orders amid the spread of COVID-19, many cyclists are turning to riding indoors. But in this strange, alternate universe, they’re being joined by another group of pro athletes—golfers, typically focused on PGA Tour events this time of the year, are instead filling their competitive void with Peloton bikes.

The PGA Tour announced the cancellation of all events through May 10, due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. And with no pro golf tournaments, it seems the stationary bike and streaming workout platform is becoming even more popular in the pro golf world, as golfers look to WHO- and CDC-approved outlets for fitness.

Pro golfers, including three-time major winner Jordan Spieth, have shared in the past that they are Peloton aficionados. Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy has been especially active on the at-home cycling platform lately. His rather impressive ride stats caught everyone’s attention earlier this month when he averaged 26.3 mph over the course of 20 miles, landing him in 11th place out of 9,240 riders.

Those figures aren’t a fluke, either. It seems McIlroy is a dedicated Peloton rider, though those may be his best stats yet.

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“I’ve never really enjoyed doing cardio,” McIlroy said in an interview with GOLF.com earlier this month. “But since learning about Peloton and doing it and being a part of that whole community and stuff, I’ve started to enjoy it. And I enjoy the whole leaderboard aspect of it and that it is competitive in some ways. You’re always trying to beat your last score.”

So instead of battling it out on the green, McIlroy and some of his fellow pro golfers are keeping their competitive spirit going by vying for the best Peloton stats. Billy Horschel tried his hand (well, legs) at that, but he wasn’t quite on par with the watts that McIlroy was cranking out.

Pro golfers Justin Thomas and Bubba Watson are also joining in on the Peloton fun. They hosted a group Peloton ride last Friday, alongside McIlroy and Charley Hoffman. If you missed out this time around, keep an eye out for updates on their social media, because they’re planning on hosting more in the future.

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