Recording a positive test to COVID-19 prior to the ZOZO Championship on October 22, there were initial fears that Scott could miss next week’s Masters at Augusta National altogether. But his appearance this week at the tournament he won back in 2007 represents an important step toward competing for a second green jacket.

Named the 2019 PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year, Scottie Scheffler had to withdraw from the US Open due to a positive COVID-19 test and admitted that time spent in isolation had a tangible effect on performance upon his return.

“Taking those basically two weeks off took me out of my rhythm,” Scheffler conceded.

“I would have definitely not have liked to have taken that much time off, especially when you’re playing

well.

“Even if I am going to take two weeks without playing, I’m going to go out and hit a few balls, play a few money games and stuff like that at home to make sure I can stay in shape.

“Due to COVID I was not able to do that so took me a little bit to find my swing again.”

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the suspension of the PGA TOUR in March Scott had climbed to No.6 in the Official World Golf Rankings, thanks in part to his win at the Genesis Invitational.

He adopted a cautious approach to his return to the Tour and played just four events – his best finish a tie for 22nd at the PGA Championship – before another enforced layoff.

Scott and Jason Day are the only Aussies exempt into the Masters who are playing the Houston Open, Matt Jones hoping to replicate his success at this event six years ago on the back of a top-five finish at the Bermuda Championship last week.

The other Australians in the field are Cameron Davis and Greg Chalmers along with Kiwi Danny Lee.

Whilst it is business as usual on the PGA TOUR, two tournaments in Europe this week boast innovative formats that are sure to create tremendous interest amongst golf fans.

Playing at the Aphrodite Hills Resort in Cyprus for the second straight week, Maverick Antcliff, Jason Scrivener and New Zealand legend Michael Campbell are contesting the Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Showdown.

The top 32 players through 36 holes will have their scores rest for the third round with the top 16 to then progress to the final round where the scores will again be reset prior to the final day’s play.

But the biggest break with tradition is at the Omega Dubai Moonlight Classic on the Ladies European Tour, the only event on any men’s or women’s major tour that features day/night tournament play.

Formerly played as the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters, this is the second Moonlight Classic at the Faldo Course at Emirates Golf Club with LPGA Tour regular Minjee Lee joining fellow Aussies Stephanie Kyriacou and Whitney Hillier in Dubai.

Round 1 tee times (AEDT)

PGA TOUR
Vivint Houston Open
Memorial Park Golf Course, Houston, Texas
11.45pm              Matt Jones, Rory Sabbatini, Henrik Norlander
11.45pm*            Cameron Davis, Danny Lee, Russell Henley
5.05am*              Adam Scott, Dustin Johnson, Tyrrell Hatton
5.15am Greg Chalmers, Brandt Snedeker, Jimmy Walker
5.15am*              Jason Day, Viktor Hovland, Phil Mickelson

Defending champion: Lanto Griffin
Past Aussie winners: Bruce Devlin (1972), Bruce Crampton (1973, 1975), David Graham (1983), Stuart Appleby (1999, 2006), Robert Allenby (2000), Adam Scott (2007), Matt Jones (2014)
Top Aussie prediction: Matt Jones
TV schedule: Live 5am-8am Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday on Fox Sports 503

European Tour
Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Showdown
Aphrodite Hills Resort, Paphos, Cyprus
4.05pm Maverick Antcliff, Connor Syme, Dave Coupland
5.45pm Jason Scrivener, Richard McEvoy, Alejandro Canizares
7.15pm Michael Campbell, Zander Lombard, Sebastian Heisele

Defending champion: Inaugural event
Past Aussie winners: Nil
Top Aussie prediction: Jason Scrivener
TV schedule: Live 8.30pm-1.30am Thursday, Friday; Live 9pm-1.30am Saturday; Live 8.30pm-1am Sunday on Fox Sports 503

Ladies European Tour
Omega Dubai Moonlight Classic
Emirates Golf Club (Faldo Cse), Dubai
5pm       Lydia Ko (10th tee)
11.30pm              Minjee Lee (1st tee)
11.30pm              Whitney Hillier (11th tee)
11.30pm              Stephanie Kyriacou (15th tee)

Defending champion: Nuria Iturrioz
Past Aussie winners: Nil
Top Aussie prediction: Minjee Lee
TV schedule: Live 2am-5am Thursday, Friday and Saturday on Fox Sports 503

Champions Tour
Charles Schwab Cup Championship
Phoenix Country Club, Phoenix, Arizona
Aussies in the field: Stephen Leaney, David McKenzie, Rod Pampling
Defending champion: Jeff Maggert
Past Aussie winners: Nil
Top Aussie prediction: Rod Pampling
TV schedule: Live 8am-10.30am Saturday, Sunday and Monday on Fox Sports 503