Gavin aims to raise the bar in second season of European Tour
KUALA LUMPUR: National golfing ace Gavin Kyle Green is out to raise the bar in his second season on the European Tour.
Gavin, who will turn 25 on Dec 28, is seeking a major improvement by finishing in the top 30 of the Race to Dubai standings next year.
In his rookie season this year, Gavin did reasonably well to come in 84th to keep his Tour card.
A top 110 finish in the season- long competition also improved Gavin’s exemption status to Category 10 — meaning he would have access to most of the Tour tournaments.
And with the freedom to dictate his playing schedule in Europe now, Gavin is eager to mark his second year on Tour with more top results on a regular basis.
“I’m looking to build on the solid debut season. I can certainly do much better with the experience I gained from my rookie year,” said Gavin, after briefing the media on a junior tournament that he’s hosting with the SportExcel at TPC Kuala Lumpur from Dec 18-20.
“My goal for the coming season is to finish in the top 30 of the Race to Dubai.
“If I can do that, it would open up the door to many opportunities in the following season, especially entry into the big meets such as the Majors and WGCs (World Golf Championships).
“Also, I would like to keep trying to get my first European Tour win. I came so close this year (finishing third) at the Czech Masters!,” added the 2017 Asian Tour No. 1.
Besides the Czech Masters, Gavin also impressed with a tied ninth at the British Masters and tied 12th at the European Masters
in Switzerland, making 548,819 (RM2.58mil) in prize money from the 30 appearances.
Gavin opened his new season campaign at the Australian PGA Championship in Queensland, but agonisingly missed the cut by one shot.
That was his 32nd and last outing of the year.
But just before celebrating Christmas, Gavin will have one last task to accomplish — playing host to the Gavin Green-SportExcel Junior Amateur golf championship.
The idea was mooted by Gavin himself as he’s eager to contribute to the development of golf in Malaysia.
At the same time, Gavin also always wanted to give back to the SportExcel, the organisation that help pave the way for his success during his growing years.
“I started playing in SportExcel events when I was seven and continued playing in the circuit until I was 17 when I left for college,” he said.
“This is where I honed my skills and where I learnt how to compete.”
The event was initially planned for 120 competitors, but, due to overwhelming response, the tournament will now cater to 226 players from all over the country.