Thomas Pieters is in Austin, Texas for the WGC-Dell Match Play this week, but his heart is elsewhere.
Pieters hails from Belgium, a country in morning after multiple terror attacks occurred in Brussels on Tuesday.
"It was just one of the worst days to wake up," said Pieters, who lives an hour outside of Brussels and frequently uses the airport that was the site of suicide bombings. "It's shocking to see the images and the videos. It's a sad day."
Pieters has made contact with friends and family in Belgium and said they are safe.
Still, the 24-year-old admitted to feelings of apprehension when traveling.
“I'm not scared to fly, but it does cross your mind sometimes,” Pieters said. “But I think you can't live with fear, that's what they tried to do. So I'm not going to change the way I fly or anywhere I go."
Pieters is a two-time European Tour winner and captured the 2012 NCAA Championship as an individual at Illinois. He is set to play Adam Scott, Bill Haas and Chris Wood in round-robin play.
The best of Golf Digest delivered daily
Sign UpWill be used in accordance with our PRIVACY POLICY