…. Dubai, UAE
Rory McIlroy singled out former Walker Cup team-mate and fellow Ulster golfer Jonathon Caldwell for special praise in regaining his European Tour card.
Caldwell, 35 posted a final round 67 in the six-round Q-School to official finish 19th and be among the leading 25 to earn full 2020 main Tour membership.
It has been 12-years since McIlroy and Caldwell were paired in 2007 Walker Cup at Royal Co. Down but with the GB & I team going down by a point to a USA team boasting the likes of Dustin Johnson, Webb Simpson, Rickie Fowler,Jamie Lovemark and Billy Horschel.
Caldwell earned full Tour membership for the 2009 season but finished well outside the top-200 to lose his ‘card’ and since then has been plying his trade on secondary Europe tours.
McIlroy’s manager revealed the current World No. 2 was checking the results from Spain on Wednesday night and with McIlroy clearly delighted for his former amateur team-mate.
“I am just so happy for him and it’s brilliant,” said McIlroy after posting a 64 on the opening day of the DP World Tour Championship.
“He and I were pretty much on the Tour not long after the Walker Cup but it’s been a long 10, 11-years for him to be back now on the Tour, so I am very happy for him.
“I’m heading home for Christmas so maybe I can catch up with him over that period just to say ‘hello’ and congratulate him.”