Double-D Proud & Excited Ahead Confirmation 2024 Asian Tour Card At PIF Saudi Open.

5 months ago by Comments Off on Double-D Proud & Excited Ahead Confirmation 2024 Asian Tour Card At PIF Saudi Open.

Scot David Drysdale has shaken off a niggling neck injury, admitting he’s now proud and also excited ahead of confirmation of retaining his Asian Tour card at this week’s season-ending PIF Saudi Open in Riyadh.

Drysdale, 48, tees-up lying a comfortable 43rd on the money list and with the leading 65 season money-earners exempt for their 2024 Tour card at the close of play this Sunday on the host Riyadh Club course in the Saudi capital.

A recurring neck injury forced the golfer affectionately known as ‘Double-D’ out after 15 agonising opening round holes at last fortnight’s Taiwan Glass Open.

Fortunately, the Borders golfer didn’t suffer money-list wise to keep himself on target to end his ‘rookie’ Asian Tour season with guaranteed new season membership.

Drysdale said: “I’ve had an ongoing niggle in my neck for a long time, and it comes from my top rib on my right side, the one that goes under your neck.  I had the same concern about 15 months ago, and it could have something to do with how I sleep.

“I tried playing the full round but just couldn’t go any further than 15 holes.

“The good thing is, I’ve had some treatment and a bit of physio and all’s well – touch wood!

“I was over practicing at Jebel Ali in Dubai the last couple of days and the neck seemed fine then we arrived here in Saudi Tuesday morning, so I’m right to go”.

A full 2024 Asian Tour card, and in what next year will be Drysdale’s final under-50 years of age season, will allow the proud Scot not only to play a full ‘pick-and-choose’ season but qualify automatically for all 10 of the rich $2m to $2.5m International Series events on the Tour.

He said: “It’s good that I’ve made it into the last event of the year, and at 43rd on the money list it’s looking pretty good to secure a full 2024 Asian Tour card.

“When I obtained my Asian Tour card through the qualifying school back in January this was the week where I wanted to be, and as I’ve said throughout the year, it’s been a great year for Vicky and I.

“We’ve not been back to Scotland for a while but that will happen next Monday, so we’re looking forward to seeing family and friends over the Christmas season.

“So, I’m excited and also feeling proud heading into this last event of what I’ve achieved this year.  It’s been such a great year visiting all the different countries and playing so many new golf  courses has been like being a rookie again.

“Yeah, I am a rookie …  a 48-year-old rookie (smiling).”

The Riyadh course is very much a quintessential desert golf course with plenty of sand and an abundance of water, an ‘Oasis in the Capital’ as the club boasts.

Drysdale said: “It’s a very impressive set-up as the club is the home for Saudi Golf.  The golf course is fabulous with the practice facilities superb.  It has a great clubhouse, and we’re getting well looked after.

“I think, and given there is not a lot of rough, the scoring is going to be low as I’ve played a lot of wedges in my practice rounds while it’s in the mid-20s every day, which is nice, and there’s no wind.

“And it’s a course I feel I can compete on, so I’m looking forward to it.

“We had Greg Norman here when we arrived Tuesday while there’s two top LIV golfers playing this week in Henrik Stenson and Kevin Na”.



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