Justin Leonard simply in a better place in return to Royal Troon

— -- TROON, Scotland -- You might not recognize Justin Leonard if you haven't seen him in a while. The schoolboy visage of his younger years has given way to middle-agedness -- middle-agedness for a golfer, at least. The enduringly furrowed brow is decidedly less furrowed. Then there's the beard. Salt is noticeably creeping up on the pepper; it exists in varying shades of unkemptness, from marginally scruffy to consummate mountain man, which just happens to be a major part of his Twitter handle these days.

This isn't a story about a few extra whiskers, though. It's about what they represent.

"I'd never gone more than three or four days without shaving until this little stint," he explains. "You know, there's a little bit of freedom in that." Leonard's words might make it sound like he's taking a long weekend at the beach, but his actions are indicative of a major lifestyle change for him and his family.