Former Wentworth winning hero Simon Khan says it is a weight off his shoulders the decision to withdraw from Second Stage of this month’s PGA Tour Q-School and with the English golfer saying he owes it to the European Tour to remain loyal to Europe.
Khan, 30 captured the biggest victory of his pro career two years ago in winning the European Tour’s flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship at Tour HQ at Wentworth.
Victory afforded Khan not only a Euro ¾ m first prize cheque but a Tour exemption to the end of the 2015 season.
But after making the halfway cut in this year’s (British) Open Championship Khan became exempt into the Second Stage of qualifying for the 2013 PGA Tour Q-School.
England’s Simon Khan says he’s remaining loyal to the European Tour by withdrawing from PGA Tour School. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)
However while Khan is tempted by the thought of competing on the world’s richest stage the current World No. 446 believes he needs to show loyalty to Europe particulary with so many other Europeans heading next year to the States.
They include World No. 4 Lee Westwood, Ryder Cup rookie Nicolas Colsaerts and Kiawah Island PGA Championship runner-up and fellow Englishman, David Lynn.
“It was a big decision to have to withdraw from the PGA Q-School but in the bigger picture I want to get my game back to where it was when I won at Wentworth,” he said after posting a three under par 67 on day one of the UBS Hong Kong Open.
“When I won at Wentworth I took a big leap up the World Rankings and just so many doors opened for me.
“Given that I am fully exempt in Europe for a couple more years it will mean that I still can qualify for some of the bigger events like the HSBC Champions again next year and the new Turkish Open.
“It’s for that reason I’ve pulled out of U.S. Tour qualifying and I’m glad I’ve made the decision because it is a huge weight off my shoulders.
“I feel also I wanted to retain my exempt category for the European Tour rather than having to start like afresh in the States if I did earn my PGA Tour card and lose what I have over here.
“As well, with so many Europeans heading to the States to play full time I felt it important that I remain in Europe and support the Tour.
“I don’t deny anybody heading to the States and competing on the PGA Tour but it seems to me the European Tour could be struggling for talent and I would better serve the Tour remaining loyal to Europe.”
And also joining Khan in not teeing-up later this month in PGA Tour qualifying is reigning Irish Open winner, Jamie Donaldson of Wales.
Khan’s opening round of 67 in Hong Kong included five birdies and two bogeys to be trailing four shots behind Spaniard Javier Colomo.
