James Driscoll’s sun-protection apparel at the Travelers Championship

CROMWELL, Conn. – Monday qualifier James Driscoll is not taking any chances this week – specifically in protecting himself against the sun. The 40-year-old Boston native, making his first PGA TOUR start in 2-1/1 years, is not only wearing a long-sleeve shirt under his golf polo, he also wears a scarf that wraps around his face and covers his neck, along with a Byron Nelson-style Panama hat. It’s a different look from everybody else in the Travelers Championship field – especially this week as temperatures threatened to break 80 degrees on Friday — but nobody can argue about its effectiveness against the sun’s damaging rays. “Every dermatologist would recommend staying out of the sun as much as possible,â€� said Driscoll, who turned pro in 2001 and is making his 241st start on TOUR. “I just know everyone should protect themselves from the sun as much as possible.â€� To that end, Driscoll – who’s best TOUR finishes are two playoff losses in 2005 and 2009 — is working on launching his own golf clothing line that will specialize in long-sleeve apparel emphasizing sun protection. He expects to receive his first samples soon and would like to launch his line within the next year. “The last thing golf needs is another clothing company,â€� said Driscoll, who currently lives in Jupiter, Florida, and was a full-time Web.com Tour member last season. “But this is a long-sleeved golf shirt for the sun. … “I think the future is that people are going to be wearing a lot more coverage.â€� Asked what he thought of the long-sleeve button-down shirts that Phil Mickelson wore at THE PLAYERS Championship in May, Driscoll replied: “I like that it’s long sleeves and protects you from the sun. But it’s a little too formal for me. Mine’s a little bit more casual.â€� As for this week, Driscoll opened with a 4-under 66 and followed that Friday with a 2-over 72 that leaves him at 2 under, which had him sitting on the cut line when he signed his scorecard. Provided he makes the cut, he can credit a hole-out from the greenside bunker for birdie at the par-3 eighth, which was his next-to-last hole for the day. And as for what kind of reaction his apparel has received from the gallery, Driscoll – who began wearing a Mohawk a couple of years ago – just shrugged. “People think I’m a little weird anyway,â€� he said, “so I don’t think people are too surprised.â€�

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