Rookie Irish professional Paul Dunne has travelled nearly 17,000 klms to Australia’s Gold Coast just to tee-up for a first time as a full European Tour members.
This week’s Australian PGA Championship, being staged on the Royal Pines Resort course, is the first time the event is being co-sanctioned by the European Tour.
Paul Dunne travels nearly 17,000 klms to Australia’s Golf Coast to make his debut as a full European Tour member.
Picture Eoin Clarke, www.golffile.ie
The event, along with the corresponding Nedbank Challenge in South Africa, share the honours as the first events of the Tour’s 2015/16 wraparound schedule.
And being a Ryder Cup year Dunne is keen to get off to a good start after recently graduating 13th at the Tour’s Q-School in Spain.
This week’s Australian PGA, and the oldest pro event ‘down under’, is the third of Australia’s ‘Big Three’ after 56-year old Peter Senior captured last fortnight’s Australian Masters in Melbourne before Matt Jones denied World No. 1 Jordan Spieth to win last Sunday’s Australian Open.
“It’s the first time I’ve been to Australia, and having heard great things about the conntry, so I really wanted to come,” said Dunne.
“But then it’s a lot warmer here than back home give it’s summer.”
Dunne turned pro straight after the Walker Cup and while he’s already had a taste of European Tour competition it was by ‘invitation only’.
Now being a full member of the European Tour Dunne can virtually pick and choose where he wants to play.
However that could also depend on various re-rankings and how well he performs before the Tour gets to Europe proper in May next year.
“It’s been a steep learning curve for me since all the hype surrounding the Open Championship,” he said.
“Of course, it’s a different environment being a member of the Tour but it’s the same game you’re playing.
“I was quite busy with amateur golf when I was turning pro, so it was kind of a seamless transition really.
I didn’t see it as any different, it was just playing golf again like any other weekend. It’s been quite busy since I’ve turned pro, I’ve played a lot of events. I haven’t found it too bad. I suppose I haven’t had much of a break to kind of reflect. This will be my last one of the season and then have a nice break for Christmas.
“So I’ve enjoyed it so far, it’s been brilliant. I’ve had some good finishes and had some real fun as well, so hopefully I can finish it right this week.”
