Syme hopes his 2018 campaign starts in the right Direction in Dubai
Conor Syme is starting his 2018 campaign locking horns with Rory Mcilroy, Sergio Garcia, Tommy Fleetwood and Pat Perez on the golf course – and enjoying being around pop star Niall Horan off it.
The 22-year-old Fifer is among seven Scots teeing up in the $3 million Omega Dubai Desert Classic, having secured a coveted invitation for the event through Modest! Golf, his management company.
That was set up by golf-mad Horan and, as part of a deal by which the one direction member signed up to play with close friend Mcilroy in the pro-am, both Syme and fellow rookie pro Jack Singh Brar secured spots in this week’s star-studded field.
It’s a fantastic opportunity for Syme in an event that is comparable in strength to the preceding Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the European Tour.
“It’s awesome to be at such a strong event,” said the Drumoig man, who will play the first round in the company of Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai and Frenchman Mike Lorenzo-vera.
“It feels like a major event and I am really excited to get going. This venue is amazing.
“This course is really challenging off the tee,” added Syme, right. “If you can get your ball in play, there are plenty opportunities. But if you miss the fairway, there are problems. You need to be on your toes.”
After turning professional following last year’s Walker Cup, the young Scot got his new career off to a flying start with top-15 finishes in both the Portugal Masters and the Dunhill Links Championship. He then secured his European Tour card by finishing joint 11th in the Qualifying School in Spain and is now determined to make the most of this welcome opportunity ahead of upcoming tests in Australia, Qatar and, possibly, Oman.
“It was good to get some time off after the Joburg Open [in December] because things changed throughout last year and it ended up being a much longer season than I planned,” added Syme, who has Edinburgh man Tim Poyser caddying for him. Joining Syme in the event are fellow Scots Colin Montgomerie, Stephen Gallacher, Scott Jamieson, Richie Ramsay, David Drysdale and Marc Warren.
Turkish Airlines flies five times a week from Edinburgh to Dubai via Istanbul starting from £350 including taxes, and golf clubs fly for free in addition to a 40kg baggage allowance as standard. Book turkishairlines.com or 0844 800 6666.