Marc Warren using BBQ skills to cook for NHS staff neighbours

Marc Warren, a three time European Tour winner, is an ambassador for Aberdeen Standard Invesments. Picture: Aberdeen Standard Investments

But the three-time European Tour winner is looking forward to swapping his tongs for his trusty Callaway clubs once the health crisis loosens its grip on the world.

Warren, a World Cup winner with Colin Montgomerie in 2007, has become Scottish golf's forgotten man over the past couple of seasons.

From being in the top 50 in the world just over five years ago, he slipped to 1,200th in the global rankings.

After losing his card for the second year running at the end of last season, he decided to take a break in the hope it would re-ignite his hunger for the game.

"I thought it was the perfect opportunity [for a break]," said the 39-year-old, speaking in a teleconference in his role as an Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open ambassador.

"I had been playing on tours since 2002 pretty much, travelling almost full-time. The kids are now a good age. Archie was seven the other day and Sophie is nearly two-and-a-half.

"I just kind of decided to take a few months off. I thought I would start looking at playing tournaments again around the end of April.

"I took almost two or three months without hitting a golf ball, which was good. To be fair, I played about half a dozen times in that period, just going down to Dundonald for social games."

Warren's sole appearance on the European Tour this before it went into lockdown saw him finish in a tie for 45th in the South African Open in January.

When the circuit re-starts, he'll have to rely on invitations for events while also plans to play on the Challenge Tour.

"Everything that has been going on puts things in perspective," he added. "Until the coronavirus hit, it was a good time at home, a good extended period at home, when I could relax and just enjoy time with the family.

"I was getting a bit of motivation back for the game and had started to work a bit more. I've been working hard on my fitness for the past couple of months.

"But, with this virus hitting, no-one knows what is happening and there is no real date to look forward to or set any deadlines or getting ready for anything in particular. It is strange from that point of view, as motivation goes.

"My break has gone a bit longer than I hoped or wanted but the idea was to get the drive and the spark back for golf.

"Sometimes, you don’t really realise how much you miss something until it’s taken away. It’s probably everyone in every walk of life is feeling the same thing at this moment in time.

"I turned 39 the other day. For the last few years, I’ve had those thoughts in the back of my head where I maybe wasn’t sure if I wanted to do it for much longer.

"But now, having a period away from the game, I’m hoping that it rejuvenates a bit of love for the game where you miss it and you want to get back and do it every day."

Until that happens, Warren will continue to man the BBQ at home and do his bit to support those NHS neighbours.

"I like to barbecue whether the weather is good or bad. I'll probably barbecue five times a week or so when the weather is better," he said.

"The neighbours next door both work for the NHS. I was fortunate to be able to get some deliveries from the butchers for them and I've cooked up some ribs and chicken and stuff. It's nice to be able to do a little thing for them.

"They are close friends as well and we are fortunate to have good neighbours where we live, and obviously the job they are doing at this time is demanding."