As we settle into 2022, Compleat Golfer’s playing editor lets you into his world and tells you what he’s got planned.
It’s that time, my friends. Time to go back to work. As my good family friend Mark Wilshire says, ‘It’s time to turn over the economy, folks.’ A new year always presents one thing – opportunity. And that’s exactly what I’ve got going into this year.
This year’s main focus will be securing my card for the 2023 DP World Tour. Once I’ve accomplished that, I’m hoping to take my talents across the pond to the good ol’ United States’ Korn Ferry Tour. While doing that I’m also looking forward to playing a few of the newly formed co-sanctioned Sunshine Tour events.
So, let’s break the whole year’s plan down step by step.
Having been a full member of the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour) for more than six years it definitely feels like my home away from home.
The Tour has seen some remarkable growth since I joined it. With the Rolex Series and new global name (DP World Tour) it seems the sky is the limit for players based outside the US.
The DP World Tour will start off in traditional fashion by visiting the Middle East for the first couple of months. After that, we’ll be returning to South African shores for the new tournaments at Pecanwood and Steyn City. These are two events I’m extremely excited about.
After that we’ll be heading east to Asia, making stops in Japan and China. Once May comes around, it’s back to the regular events in mainland Europe. It all means we’ll be visiting many of the planet’s most beautiful countries over a few months.
I think it’s pretty obvious the DP World Tour will never compete with the PGA Tour. But for the first time it seems like the major Tours from around the world are coming together to accommodate each other’s schedules. The first evidence of this was the Abu Dhabi Championship being pushed back a week to allow for the PGA Tour’s Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.
This is great news for someone like me who’s hoping to one day play both Tours and travel the world. Starting, of course, with the prospect of a PGA Tour card via the Korn Ferry Tour.
While the temptation of playing full time on the Korn Ferry Tour is strong, I still love the DP World Tour. Which is why I’ll go over to the US only once I’ve secured my card. That may be in June or maybe even February. Who knows?
With the top-25 players on the Korn Ferry Tour earning full playing rights on the PGA Tour there’s a massive opportunity to face the best in the world.
I admit to being somewhat nervous about the Korn Ferry Tour. It’s the unknown. I’ve never played a Tour in the US. College golf in that country is like a holiday compared to professional golf. Hopefully I can become comfortable quite quickly and start waving the South African flag proudly.
Speaking of the South African flag, I still want to play at home. I love playing in South Africa, obviously. Supporting the Sunshine Tour is something I’ve always been adamant about.
Thomas Abt and his team have done a sensational job in recent months securing so many events co-sanctioned by either the DP World Tour or the Challenge Tour. There is such an opportunity for the up-and-comers in this country to break through on to the world stage. Not long from now there’ll be close to 30 South Africans playing on every Tour around the world, on a weekly basis. You can mark my words!
One thing I’m hoping to do better this year than 2021 is manage my time with my family. The past couple of years have been really tricky in that regard, so time away from the game and with the family will be really valuable.
Overall I’m absolutely buzzing to get going this season. Travelling the world playing the game I love is a dream come true. Who knows, maybe 2022 will be the best year of my life so far. Let’s get it!
– This column first appeared in the February 2022 issue of Compleat Golfer magazine. Subscribe here!
