HIS parents may be asking for a bit more bed and board money at this rate. Two events as a pro, two cuts made and around £70,000 earned, minus tax and various other expenses, of course. It’s not been a bad start to life in the paid ranks for Connor Syme.
A closing six-under 66 on the Old Course, for an 11-under 277, left him in a share of 15th as he followed up his tie for 12th on his debut in Portugal a fortnight ago with another composed and purposeful performance.
Given that Scottish rookies tend to be notoriously slow starters when they make the leap from the amateur game, the golf writers were just about ready to carry him out of the Auld Grey Toun on a sedan chair. Syme prefers not to get carried away, though.
“It’s certainly an encouraging start, but I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself,” said the 22-year-old with considered reason.
With no category for the tour, Syme now has to switch his focus to the forthcoming qualifying school but he has certainly given himself a sturdy platform upon which to build as he looks to gain a foothold.
His spirited showing during Saturday’s third round spoke volumes for the young Scot’s talents and resolve as he covered his final eight holes in five-under to haul himself above the cut line under pressurised circumstances.
Yesterday, he kept himself moving in the right direction as he made the most of his chance in what is an event that suits the home-based players.
Syme would no doubt love to keep the momentum going in tournament play but he was aware what he was getting himself in to when he decided to take the pro plunge.
“You have to make the most of opportunities that come around,” he added. “It’s not frustrating (that he doesn’t have another event coming up) because I knew the situation I would be in when I turned pro when I did.
“My management team is working hard to get me invitations where they can. There’s maybe a chance of the Spanish Open but there’s nothing certain. There are so many players looking for starts at this time of the year.
“When I played in the Open in July, that’s when I decided pretty much, that I would turn pro three months later so it wasn’t a flash in the pan decision. There has been plenty preparation.”
Stephen Gallacher, the Dunhill Links champion back in 2004, signed off with a 67 and shared 12th which was enough to get him into the Italian Open, the next event on the lucrative Rolex Series, this week.
Dumfries’ Liam Johnston, this season’s Scottish Strokeplay champion, completed a fine week on his professional debut and a 68 left him on 280. It was four better than a certain Rory McIlroy.
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