Graham DeLaet returns to competition this week, but his appearance at the Albertsons Boise Open might be more of a one-off than the launch of a full comeback.
The PGA Tour sophomore, who had back surgery in January, and has played only a handful of tournaments this year, is using the lower-tier Nationwide Tour event to test his back under the rigours of competitive play and the practice sessions leading into it.
The Boise event is convenient because DeLaet, a native of Weyburn, Sask., makes his home in the Idaho city now.
"Boise is a very comfortable environment to evaluate, with so many friends and family close by and involved," said Elliott Kerr, the president of Landmark Sport Group, which represents DeLaet. "We will sit down and determine the next steps after the event."
Kerr said DeLaet is still not 100 per cent and won't return to a full schedule until he is. "Believe me, Graham is very anxious to get back out on the PGA Tour to compete and to win," he said.
DeLaet underwent surgery in early January to repair a herniated disc. He returned in June to play three tournaments – one on the Nationwide, two on the PGA – but then returned to the sidelines with stiffness and soreness.
If he doesn't return to the PGA Tour until next year, he'll keep his card through 26 events under the tour's medical allowances.
The 29-year-old is one of four Canadians scheduled to play at Hillcrest Country Club.
Fellow PGA Tour member David Hearn, who's out of the FedEx Cup playoffs, will make his Nationwide season debut.
Nationwide regular Jon Mills will be looking to break out of his slump. He's missed eight cuts in a row.
The fourth Canadian is Jamie Sadlowski, the two-time Re/Max Long Drive champion from St. Paul, Alta. Sadlowski, who carries a plus-1.1 handicap index, is playing on a sponsor exemption.
(There could be a fifth Canadian if first alternate Richard T. Lee draws in by the beginning of play on Thursday.)
Sadlowski squared off against John Daly on Monday at Hillcrest in a nine-hole skins game dubbed Battle of the Big Guns. Daly won $17,250 (U.S.) for a charity of his choice, Sadlowski $7,750.
Daly will also play in the Boise Open on a sponsor exemption.