The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Better late than never Law
European Tour: Aberdeen professional secures welcome berth in Joburg
Aberdeen golfer David Law was thrilled to land a late place in the field for the Joburg Open in South Africa.
The 25-year-old was one of 15 players to make it through yesterday’s pre-qualifier at Haughton Golf Club.
Law carded a bogey-free four-under-par 68 to finish tied fifth to increase the Scottish contingent at the European Tour event to seven. Grantown’s Duncan Stewart, Marc Warren, Scott Henry, Scott Jamieson, David Drysdale and amateur Connor Syme are also teeing up.
The pre-qualifier was supposed to take place on Tuesday, but was cancelled due to flooding with the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club hammered by 140mm of rainfall since Monday.
Law said: “I was delighted to make it through. My short game was good for the front nine and I managed to create some nice chances on the back nine.
“It has all been a bit
“It really feels like I have broken through that extra barrier”
rushed with playing the pre-qualifier the day before the tournament proper, but it couldn’t be helped with the weather. It is a great opportunity.”
While Law relishes his chance at the European Tour’s top table, South Africa’s Jaco Van Zyl feels he is finally ready to win.
Van Zyl, who turns 38 today, has won 14 times on the Sunshine Tour but has suffered a number of frustrating near misses on the European Tour, most recently three-putting the first play-off hole in the Qatar Masters three weeks ago.
The world number 92 has finished runner-up five times, including at this week’s venue of Royal Johannesburg and Kensington, where he also finished third in 2012. Ryder Cup golfer Thomas Pieters has vowed to remain loyal to the European Tour, even if he continues to taste success on the other side of the Atlantic.
Pieters enjoyed the most successful debut by a European rookie in last year’s loss at Hazeltine, winning four of his five matches in the 17-11 defeat.
The performance brought the 25-year-old
“It really feels like I have broken through that extra barrier,” said Van Zyl. “I’m feeling a lot more comfortable in the position and I feel like I can be in charge instead of backing off.
“I think it’s really close and I know I have been saying it for a little while, but hopefully this year is going to be the breakthrough.”
An added incentive this Belgian to the attention of the wider golfing public in the United States, where he won an NCAA individual title while attending the University of Illinois.
And by finishing joint second in the Genesis Open in Los Angeles on Sunday thanks to a closing 63 at Riviera, Pieters could secure special temporary membership of the PGA Tour with his performance in this week’s Honda Classic.
However, the world number 33 has no intentions of abandoning the European Tour and has already told Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn he plans to be part of the team at Le Golf National in 2018.
“I’m really close to my family, I love living at home and I’m a new uncle now, which is really exciting,” said Pieters, whose sister gave birth to a son three months ago.
“Even when I go away for three weeks, I do miss my family. That’s why I’m going to keep playing in Europe and for the Ryder Cup, week is the top three players who finish in the top 10, who are not already exempt, will earn a place in the Open championship at Royal Birkdale.
Defending champion Haydn Porteous did that 12 months ago and went on to finish 30th at Royal Troon, but the 22-year-old made just one more cut during the rest of the season and as well. I told Thomas Bjorn I’m not going to leave his tour and I’m dedicated to playing in Europe and being in the Ryder Cup team.
“I love playing in Europe. I love the atmosphere and seeing different cultures and cities.”
Pieters is part of a strong European contingent at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens which includes 2015 winner Padraig Harrington, Inverness golfer Russell Knox, Paul Casey, Graeme McDowell, began his 2017 campaign with six missed cuts in succession.
“It’s been a tough six months with the swing changes I’ve been working on,” said Porteous, who finally ended his poor run of results by finishing 26th in Malaysia a fortnight ago. “There was a part of me that didn’t believe I was consistent enough to play Sergio Garcia, Matt Fitzpatrick and Danny Willett.
Garcia finished just a shot behind Adam Scott last year with McDowell fifth, while Knox, Casey and Ian Poulter were joint third behind Harrington.
“It must be the weather and the toughness of the course maybe,” Pieters added when asked to explain such results.
“I’m not saying it’s easier over here or anything.
“We play in a lot of worse weather.” on the world stage. I got a little bit too into the game and maybe a little bit too technical with the golf swing.
“Then I lost a bit of confidence on unfamiliar grasses and different golf courses and in different conditions. It was tough to play with the sort of confidence I can play with back home.”