Justin Leonard’s day starts early—between 5:30 and 6:00 a.m.—but not with golf. First, he takes time to meditate for up to an hour, setting his plans for the day.
Then, he’s on dog duty, walking all four before his kids leave for school.
After that, it’s time for a workout in his home gym, where he spends an hour or more before grabbing a late breakfast. If Scout, the most energetic of the pack, needs another walk, he’ll take her out again. Only then does he kiss his wife goodbye and head to the course.
Once he’s there, it’s four to five hours of focused work. Leonard values range sessions, but he makes sure to get on the course regularly, even if it’s just for a handful of holes.
“I just find I’m more focused when I get on the golf course,” he says.
For Leonard, it’s not just about hitting balls—it’s about shaping shots, controlling distances, and staying sharp in competition mode.
The Reality of the Senior Tour
Having worked as an NBC broadcaster before joining the PGA TOUR Champions, Leonard had a sense of what to expect.
Still, his first time covering a Senior PGA Championship in Washington, D.C., left an impression.
He arrived late that Tuesday afternoon and headed to the range, thinking most players would be done for the day. Instead, Leonard found nearly 40 guys still grinding away.
“Oh, this isn’t just a victory lap,” he realized. “These guys are working their tails off.”
That dedication has only been reinforced now that he’s competing himself.
As much as people say it’s not as competitive, the PGA TOUR Champions isn’t about coasting—it’s about continuing to put in the effort, every day, to stay competitive.
Legends of the game like Bernhard Langer, KJ Choi, and Ernie Els are not about to let up.
And for Leonard, his routine begins before sunrise.
WITB
For more information on what he’s carrying these days, you’ll want to read our Justin Leonard WITB article next.
