Walker Cup’s Syme Secures European Tour Card
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2017-11-20
(Photo/The R&A)
Connor Syme, a member of the 2017 Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup team, secured his playing rights on the European Tour at the first time of asking as a professional golfer.
The Drumoig golfer came through the final stage of the European Tour Qualifying School where the top 25 and ties won a place on the European Tour following six gruelling rounds in Tarragona, Spain. The 22-year-old took a share of ninth place with a 17-under-par total of 411.
Syme played in a number of R&A championships throughout his amateur career. He was the leading qualifier at The Amateur Championship in 2016 and teed it up at The 146th Open in July after securing his place at Final Qualifying at Gailes Links.
The Scot represented his country at the 2013 Boys Home Internationals and competed for Great Britain and Ireland in both the Jacques Leglise Trophy (2013) and St Andrews Trophy (2016) before being selected to play in this year’s Walker Cup in Los Angeles.
Syme has impressed since turning professional following his return from California. He finished in tied 12th position on his first start at the Portugal Masters and tied 15th at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in October.
The former Australian Amateur champion will now regularly play alongside fellow Walker Cup alumni Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood and Matthew Fitzpatrick on the European Tour next season.
Former Walker Cup player Gavin Moynihan also secured his European Tour card. The Irishman, who won the prestigious event as part of the 2015 team and played in 2013, faced a nervous wait as he finished in tied 25th on thirteen-under-par. But that turned out to be enough for the seasoned Challenge Tour player and he now looks forward to playing with Syme next season.
Duncan Weir, Executive Director – Golf Development at The R&A, said, “It is terrific two former members of Walker Cup teams secure their playing rights on the European Tour.
“Connor and Gavin have played in many of The R&A’s amateur championships and international matches from boys level upwards and everyone here is delighted to see them reach an important milestone in their professional career.
“We wish them luck on the European Tour next season and hopefully we can look forward to seeing them at The Open for many years.”
Fellow Scot and Walker Cup teammate of Syme, Robert MacIntyre, fell just short of the top 25 after recording a final round par 71 to finish on eleven-under-par. Despite missing out on the European Tour, the Oban golfer, who like Syme turned professional following the Walker Cup, secured playing rights on the Challenge Tour as a result of making the cut.