Tee-light at Faldo Series title triumph
Auchterarder golf ace qualifies for event in UAE
group with rounds of 77, 75 and 73.
Daniel’s U16 win earns him a place at the Faldo Series Grand Final, which is set to take place in November at the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club in the United Arab Emirates.
“It will actually be the first time that I’ll be competing away from the UK, so that is really exciting,” Daniel told the Herald on Friday.
His Slaley Hall success was helped by a red-hot putter and a strong mentality.
“It wasn’t an easy course,” Daniel added. “You had to play really smart around it and I think I had the right mindset going into the week.
“I stuck to my gameplan, even though the wind was blowing and it was raining. I felt really comfortable with where my game was at.
“My putting held up really well throughout the week, especially on the last day.
“I managed to hole a couple of 60 footers - and that always helps!
“I think this helps boost my confidence as I try to play my best golf in the remaining events.
“There should be a few dotted throughout August and later in the year.”
The coronavirus outbreak resulted in Scottish Golf’s calendar being greatly impacted, but Daniel made sure to keep on top of his swing at all times.
He was, during the early stages of lockdown, striking balls in the back garden before sharpening up his game at local club Auchterarder when courses reopened.
Daniel explained: “I’m lucky because I got a net for the garden quite early on during lockdown. I was able to practice into that and that really helped the technique.
“Getting back out to the course, the first couple of weeks was definitely about getting the rust off the game and trying to score.
“Auchterarder is where I really started to pick up the game properly. I think I became a member at the age of eight.
“It’s where I learnt the game. The club has helped my game come on through the years - and I’m really thankful for that.”