Syme ‘pleased where game is’ ahead of new South Africa event

Connor Syme feels in fine fettle as he joins seven fellow Scots heading into battle in a new event this week on the DP World Tour in South Africa.

The Mygolflife Open is being hosted by Pecanwood Golf & Country Club in Hartbeespoort, a resort town north of Johannesburg.

It’s the first leg of a double-header in the Rainbow Nation, with the Steyn City Championship having also been added to this year’s schedule.

Syme heads into this week’s tournament sitting 47th in the Race to Dubai Rankings, having recorded three top30 finishes in his last three outings.

“I’m pleased where my game’s at, to be honest,” said the 26-year-old. “A few weeks ago I had a sixth in Ras Al Khaimah, so I am feeding off that a little bit, which is good.”

Syme signed for a 66 in the third round of the Magical Kenya Open on Saturday before a closing 72 left him having to settle for a tie for 26th spot behind China’s Ashun Wu.

“I made too many mistakes in my second round,” he said, reflecting on that effort at Muthaiga Golf Club Nairobi.

“I made an eagle and three birdies but shot level par, which was disappointing.

But my short game was a lot better on Saturday as I managed to tidy it up.

“I also took on the course more on Saturday, hitting driver three more times than I had the previous day.”

Syme is joined in this week’s line up by Modest! Golf stablemate Ewen Ferguson, as well as Stephen Gallacher, Grant Forrest, Richie Ramsay, Scott Jamieson, David Drysdale and David Law.

“Myself and Ewen have travelled down here to South

Africa quite a lot,” said Syme. “Although we are used to bad weather, we don’t particularly like it, to be totally honest. We like coming away.”

Bernd Wiesberger, the world No 68, is the highest-ranked player in a line-up that also includes 2018 Scottish Open champion Brandon Stone.

Bob Macintyre had been on the entry list, but his next event is likely to be the WGCDELL Technologies Match Play in Austin, Texas, in a fortnight’s time.