Reigning British Amateur champion Alan Dunbar looks almost certain to turn professional next fortnight in far off South Korea when he competes in the Ballantine’s Championship in Seoul.
Dunbar will also compete in the following week’s Volvo China Open, and it’s been revealed he has received an invitation to compete in the $6.2m Jack Nicklaus hosted Memorial starting on May 30th.
However while the 22-year old Ballymoney golfer is still to officially formalize the start of his new pro career first and foremost he’s mind is focused on winning the Low Amateur prize at the Masters.
Dunbar, 22 has waited 10 months to tee-up on the Georgia golfing gem since defeating Austrian teenager, Matthias Schwab 1up in their 36-hole final at Royal Troon.
Alan Dunbar and ISM’s newest client set to make his pro career debut in Ballantine’s Championship
And earlier last week, Dunbar added the Georgia Cup to his tally of impressive amateur successes in accounting for reigning US Amateur champ, Steven Fox at the Golf Club of Georgia in Atlanta.
Dunbar arrived at the Augusta National front gates last Sunday and purposely taking his time driving down the famed Magnolia Lane.
He then joined Augusta National member, John Carr and the son of legendary Irish amateur Joe Carr getting his first look at the course.
“I came down here on Sunday and driving very slow down Magnolia Lane so that I could take it all in,” said Dunbar.
“I played a round with John Carr and a couple of the members and before all the crowds got here on Monday.
“So it was nice to get around the course without any spectators.
“I’m enjoying being here and I’m having a good time.”
Dunbar is among six amateurs in the 77th staging of the Masters and as is customary he moved straight into the ‘Crow’s Nest’, the cramped quarters high in the stately Augusta National clubhouse.
However there were butterflies in the stomach on Monday when he was joined on the 10th tee by reigning US Open champion, Webb Simpson and fellow American Michael Thompson who captured the recent Honda Classic.
“I played nine holes on Monday morning with Webb Simpson and Michael Thompson and I admit I was a bit nervous teeing up alongside them,” he said.
“We teed off the 10 and in seeing those two players, there was a lot more spectators coming over to see us tee off.
“They were two nice guys and on Tuesday I played with Graham (McDowell) and Steven Fox and that was great.
“We had a break for lunch and then Ben Curtis joined Graeme and myself for the back nine.”
And while Dunbar has been trying to soak-up all the advice and information he’s also made a point of seeking out the spot on 16 where Tiger Woods played a miracle chip-in shot on route to his last Masters victory in 2005.
“I also went over to the spot at 10 where Bubba hit from last year,” he said.
“Tiger’s shot at 16 and Bubba’s were two great shots and some of the best of all time.
Alan Dunbar headed for a bright pro career believes new caddy, Lee Adelly.
“But the big surprise is the greens as they are a lot more severe than I had expected.
“They look awfully severe on TV but once you get onto them they are even more severe than I thought they would be. But they are manageable if you keep them in the right place.”
Dunbar will be introduced on the tee at 11.51am (4.51pm Irish time) and teeing off in the company of former Masters champion, Trevor Immelman and fellow Augusta rookie, George Coetzee.
And when asked his expectations this week, Dunbar responded: “Just to just play well.”
Dunbar’s new full-time caddy, Lee Adelly is no stranger to Augusta having first caddied in 1991 for England’s Steven Richardson.
And for the past decade he’s been caddying for past Masters champion, Ian Woosnam but then he’s been quickly impressed with Dunbar.
“Alan looks a very good play, to me and what I like about his game he could quickly establish himself on the Tour,” said Adelly.
When I caddied for Steven Richardson back here in 1991 he was also a rookie and he was a rookie when he played the Ryder Cup later that year.
“But in comparing the two, Alan is a lot smoother and his shots are a lot shallower that suits the modern game whereas Steven was a lot steeper.
“They both have similar demeanors and both are very laid back and calm.
“However in saying that Alan looks good, very good.
“The big goal this week would be to finish top-16 that would ensure he’s back here next year, and the real goal will be to walk off with par on every hole if we can.
“If we get one that goes close and we hole it for birdie then that will be huge bonus.
“But I am looking forward very much to working with him full time.”
