Fifer Syme paired with four-times Tour winner on debut

Fifer looking forward to first event

Connor Syme will have a four-time European Tour winner for company in his professional debut today.

The Fife golfer, who announced his switch from the amateur ranks earlier this week, has been grouped with experienced Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin and Tomas Guimaraes Bessa on days one and two of the Portugal Masters.

This will hopefully be the first of a few invitations for the Drumoig player, who believes he is turning pro while his form is good.

“I honestly can’t wait to get going,” he said.

“I’ve had a few opportunities to play in European Tour events as an amateur but this is my first one as a pro so I’m really excited.

“It feels a little different already and I’m sure it’ll be like that again on Thursday morning when I have to get up and realise that I’m not just going to play golf anymore – I’m going to my work!

“As an amateur, it can sometimes feel a little like you’re maybe making up the numbers a little and that you’re there for the experience rather than to compete, post some numbers and make some money, so in that respect I’m treating it slightly differently.

“But, as much as possible, I need to try and treat it like I’m just playing a golf course and not playing for cash.

“You’ve got to block those thoughts out and just focus on hitting the shots one shot at a time. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

England’s Alfie Plant, who won the silver medal as leading amateur in the Open at Royal Birkdale, will also make his professional debut in the £1.7 million event after turning professional following the Walker Cup earlier this month.

Padraig Harrington is back to defend the title he won 12 months ago.

The Irishman’s victory 12 months ago was his first on the European Tour since the last of his three major titles in the 2008 US PGA, the 46-year-old’s closing 65 leaving him just a shot ahead of 2015 winner Andy Sullivan.

“Every win is important, they don’t happen as often as you think they do,” Harrington said.

“I enjoy my wins and I make sure I celebrate them when I do win.

“It was great to win, I get about one a year.

“You put a lot into them, there’s a lot of weeks where you’re frustrated, you’ve lost, you maybe messed up and got it wrong, so when the wins come around you’ve got to make sure you do enjoy it and I take a lot from my wins.”

Former Masters champion Danny Willett is also in the field as he seeks to halt his slide down the rankings, the former world No 9 starting the week in 63rd, his lowest position since December 2014.

Syme is one of 10 Scots playing this week, the others being Paul Lawrie, David Drysdale, Marc Warren, Duncan Stewart, Stephen Gallacher, Scott Jamieson, Russell Knox, Craig Lee and Ewen Ferguson.

Ferguson got his place after European Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn pulled out with a back injury yesterday.

Getty. Connor Syme: raring to go after joining the paid ranks this week.