Scotland’s Callum Hill will be looking to successfully end a six-month illness absence on a positive note at this week’s 21st hosting of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
Hill, 28, has been akin to the forgotten player in Scottish mens golf having played just one event this year and that being just one round last March in the Qatar Masters won by fellow Scot and good friend Ewen Ferguson.
Hill picked-up a mosquito related illness last October and was forced to withdraw after just one round of the Portugal Masters.
After a six-month albsence Calum Hill looking to a successful return this week to the DP World Tour
The Gleneagles attached pro returned three weeks later at the 2021 season-ending DP World Tour Championship but was headed straight for the on-site medical unit after both he and playing partner Danny Willett posted a pair of 75s to be just one off the bottom of the board in the 53-player Dubai field.
While Willett needed no doctor, Hill was advised by Tour medical staff to withdraw from the event and immediately return home to seek further treatment on the lingering legacy of his illness.
He was then due to tee-up this January at the HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship but withdrew only to then travel to Doha and play the one round.
It was naturally a welcome sight seeing last year’s Cazoo Classic champion arriving mid-afternoon today (MON) at the New Course clubhouse at St. Andrews ahead of this week’s $5m DP World Tour event.
Hill said: “It’s great being back but it’s been a long time.
“I’m just going to see how this week goes and take it from there. I’m not sure how it will all go, so I’m not expecting too much but it’s just nice to be back on the Tour.”
Among those greeting the very fair-looking Scot was Scott Jamieson and also delighted to shake his hand was Jamieson’s fellow Scottish-born and long-time caddy, Richie Blair.
Hill will tee-up with no Race to Dubai ranking and having slipped to 266th on the World Rankings and having been ranked a career best of 97th in winning the Cazoo Classic.
Wishing the affable Scot a long overdue healthy return to the Tour.
