The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Connor Syme to tee up for his third pro start on European Tour
Promising Fifer to play in this week’s Andalucia Valderrama Masters
Promising Fife professional Connor Syme will make his third European Tour start in five weeks after picking up the final invitation to play in this week’s Andalucia Valderrama Masters.
The 22-year-old from Drumoig has finished in the top 15 in his two invitations so far on the European Tour, since turning pro just over a month ago.
He was tied 12th at the Portugal Masters at Vilamoura on his debut, and followed that up with an impressive T15 in a quality field at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship last week.
Just those two starts have given Connor, son of former PGA Scotland captain and teaching professional Stuart Syme, nearly €80,000 (£71,000) in winnings and represent the best start of a young Scottish player to a pro career in recent memory.
The Andalucia Valderrama Masters, which is promoted by Masters champion Sergio Garcia on behalf of his foundation, is the last event in the European Tour season that offered a chance for an invitation as the remaining tournaments are all part of the lucrative Rolex Series for players high up on the Race to Dubai.
Connor’s signing terms for a clothing deal with Adidas Golf announced during the Dunhill appears to have been the key to getting the last invitation, secured by his management company Modest! Golf.
Adidas have been a long-time backer of Garcia.
“Delighted! Can’t wait for another opportunity,” said Connor on twitter yesterday morning after Modest! – the management company set up by One Direction star Niall Horan – revealed he was in the tournament.
Syme is still focused on European Tour Q School, which he enters at the second stage early next month.
Even a second place in Spain this week would not be enough to push him into the top 100 on the Race to Dubai who automatically qualify for next year’s Tour.