David Drysdale is both pinching himself he’s teeing-up in an Asian Tour event in St. Andrews though the proud Scot also is bitterly disappointed with the lack of response from DP World Tour event organisers.
Drysdale, 48, is among eight Scots competing in the inaugural St. Andrews Bay Championship being staged at the Fairmont Resort on the outskirts of the Home of Golf.
The Borders golfer is no stranger to this week’s host Torrance course having played the past two years in the DP Tour World hosted Hero Open.
Proud Scot David Drysdale and his caddying wife, Vicky
Drysdale said: “Not for a moment in attending the European Tour Q-School all those years ago did I think I would be standing here in St. Andrews preparing to tee-up in an Asian Tour event.
“We played last week at Close House and to be here in Scotland is just absolutely fantastic to be here at the Fairmont, and a golf course I know really well.
“This is my seventh event of the Asian Tour, and I’m enjoying being an Asian Tour member travelling to some great destinations, and looking at my results it’s been some nearly good golf and just looking to put four good rounds together.
“The goal is to retain my Asian Tour card and play on the Tour as long as possible ahead of turning 50 in two years time and then moving onto the European Legends Tour.
Drysdale sought the challenge of seeking his Asian Tour card at the close of last year after forfeiting full 2023 status after ending a run of 15 years in losing full DP World Tour status in finishing the 2022 season 158th on the money list.
The proud Scot’s disappointment no more obvious when he and his caddying wife, Vicky wrote to a number of DP World tournament sponsors seeking invitations to 2023 events but with many remaining unanswered.
Drysdale said: “We wrote to eight DP Tour World tournament organisers this year and not one invitation. I got a couple of nice replies including one from Marco Kauser at BMW.
“Reading between the lines, I think it has much to do with my gaining my Asian Tour card and this apparent friction between both tours, and from what I understand it is not the Asian Tour’s doing.
“It’s just bitterly disappointing having played 21 seasons and teed-up in 575 events on the European Tour and not one invitation this new season.
“As I said, it’s pretty poor. I could have pushed it more. I could have written to Keith (Pelley, European Tour CEO) but can’t be bothered.
“Vicky and I have enjoyed the Asian Tour as we’ve met a lot of new friends, and travelled to some great places but I just feel having earned my Asian Tour card is being held against me by the European Tour”.
Glaswegian pro John Paterson will lead out the 156-player field in the $1.5m event that features Masters champ Sergio Garcia and his Ryder Cup team-mate Paul Casey.
Casey kick-started his now 21 tournament pro winning career in Scotland at the 2001 Johnnie Walker Championship at St. Andrews whereas Garcia is yet to win in the Home of Golf nation.
The Spaniard, who won the 1998 Amateur Championship at Muirfield, went close to a first pro win on Scottish soil in 2007 at Carnoustie.
