COLORADO SPRINGS — Justin Leonard wasn’t even eligible to play on the PGA Tour Champions circuit when he heard the 2025 U.S. Senior Open was coming to Colorado, but he knew he’d be here.
At the time, Leonard was a Centennial State resident, living about 150 miles west of The Broadmoor in Aspen. Even after his family moved back to sea level in Florida, the now 53-year-old knew this would be an exciting work trip in his future.
“It’s pretty cool. I circled this on my calendar way back when I saw it four or five years ago, maybe, when we were still living here,” Leonard said. “Cooler weather, got a little reminder of Colorado weather (Wednesday) afternoon. But it’s a beautiful place.”
Leonard remains a Texan at heart. The Dallas native won the U.S. Amateur championship in 1992 while at the University of Texas. The famous burnt orange Longhorns logo is still emblazoned on his golf bag.
But, for about seven years as his PGA Tour career ended and he transitioned to the golf analyst life, the Leonards lived in Aspen and took advantage of all the outdoor adventures the I-70 corridor offers.
“It’s hard not to miss living in the mountains and in a mountain town,” Leonard, the 2007 British Open champion and 12-time winner on the PGA Tour, said. “The nice thing is now we’re on the water, so we replaced one beautiful scenery with a different one.
“We kind of traded the bikes for the boat.”
One reason for returning to sea level and a warmer climate: Leonard was ready to be a full-time golfer again, something the 50-and-over PGA Tour Champions provided. His son Luke was a bit late to golf, but the move to Florida helped his game blossom as well. He’ll be a freshman on the Villanova golf team this fall.
The family has been back, two winters ago to ski in Aspen. One of Leonard’s sons came back last winter as well. Leonard has also been to The Broadmoor a couple of times before, but just to enjoy the resort.
His first experience playing the course came earlier this week. Leonard began the tournament in a featured group with Padraig Harrington and Stewart Cink. There were back-to-back birdies on the 9th and 10th holes, but otherwise it was a grind.
Leonard finished with a 2-over 72, which left him five strokes behind the leaders heading into Friday.
“I didn’t hit very good irons and left myself some long-range (putts),” Leonard said. “Didn’t have speed dialed in, so it was a little tough going there. On the back nine, I couldn’t hit a green.
“It’s pretty disappointing. Just didn’t play that well today.”
His game overall has taken a step forward in his third full year on the senior tour. Leonard finished in the top 15 in three of the previous four tournaments.
He also collected his first win in February at the Chubb Classic in Naples, Fla.
“I think it’s freed me up a little bit just because — well, it had been a while since I had won anything, unless you count the flight at the Winding Bay member-guest a few years ago,” Leonard said. “If anything, just reminded me what it takes. The things that I don’t need to do in order to win, which are try too hard and press and all those things.
“So learned some good lessons, good reminders, and hopefully I’ll get that next one here soon.”
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