From working atthe Open to playing with the champ
Callum Tarren has come a long way from the teenager working at The Open in 2009, watching Tom Watson one putt away from defying Old Father Time.
It is a nomadic journey that has eventually led him via the PGA Tour China and the Korn Ferry Tour to what the Englishman describes as “The Premier League of Golf”, the PGA Tour.
Now 31, Tarren, is in his debut season among the big boys after graduating up from the secondary tour.
And he remembered his week at Turnberry when he practised with that year’s Open Champion Stewart Cink earlier this season.
“I was always a huge golf fan and one of my friends had signed up to be a programme seller,” Tarren told The Sunday Post.
“I thought I would do something similar, as it would be a chance to go and watch The Open for free.
“I was stood on the walkway across the 18th when Tom Watson had the putt to win The Open at 59.
“Like everyone else, I was willing him to hole it as it would have been incredible.
“I played a practice round with Stewart Cink ahead of the AT&T at Pebble Beach last month and we laughed as I told him that story.
“He knew that not many people at Turnberry wanted him to win that play-off and he told me that he used it as motivation to focus.”
Mixing in exalted company is something Tarren has been getting used to in his rookie season on the PGA Tour.
It began with eight straight missed cuts, but a tie for 30th at the Honda Classic followed by a share of fifth place in Puerto Rico last week – his first top-10 finish – have seen his confidence rise.
The Darlington golfer has taken this week off as he is not eligible for The Players Championship and returned home to see his fiancée, Ashleigh, and their seven-month-old baby daughter.
But he heads back over to America today to get ready for the Valspar Championship in Tampa and then the event in the Dominican Republic and the Texas Open.
“As I look at it, those are three chances to get into The Masters,” he said.
“If I was to win one of those events, it would not only get me to Augusta, it would be lifechanging as the money on the
PGA Tour is ridiculous. It’s the Mecca of golf. Ask any golfer anywhere in the world where they want to play and it’s the PGA Tour.
“Every event feels huge. It’s the biggest stage and I’d love to play out here for the rest of my career.”
Currently 167th in the Fedex Cup standings, Tarren has plenty of work to do to achieve full status for next season.
But a strong Sunday at the Honda followed by four good days in Puerto Rico have increased the feeling he can compete with the best.
“I have not got a full card, but I have plenty of events to keep it and I have to take those opportunities,” he admitted.
“I have to get in the top 125 as that would get me in to the Players and all the Invitationals
next season and then you can cherry pick your schedule a bit more.
“Right now, I just enter every event I can and keep an eye on the list to see if I make it.
“The first eight events did not go to plan but I kept plodding along and I was pleased to make my first cut at the Honda despite feeling really ill.
“I had a solid finish and went to Puerto Rico with my confidence high, thinking there was nothing to stop me having a good week.
“I’ve missed the cut by one shot a couple of times and there is such a massive difference between that and having a good week in terms of money and points.
“But I feel as though I’m now settled in on Tour, and hopefully I can settle in even more.”