England Jamie Elson’s joy at the birth of his first child will be tinged with a little disappointment of losing his European Tour card.
Elson’s wife, Hannah was nearly two weeks late in giving birth to a boy
Congratulations to Jamie Elson in becoming a father but disappointment he is now staring at losing his Tour card. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
The 21-year old Surrey golfer had entered this week’s South African Open and l0oking to retain full Tour membership for 2013.
And supercaddy John ‘Ronnie’ Roberts was all set to caddy for Elson but on advice he was not competing in South Africa ‘Ronnie’ managed to change his flight and this week is caddying for Aussie Brett Rumford here in Hong Kong.
Elson is currently 120th on the money list and just one place and Euro 446 shy of being among the top-119 at the close of both this week’s UBS Hong Kong Open and South African Open who will retain Tour membership.
However in wishing to be by his wife’s side Elson withdrew from the event in Ekurhuleni in South Africa.
Elson has been keeping Twitter followers up to date with his wife’s progress and with his more recent message being: “My wife is a hero!”
Since joining the Tour full time in 2004 the former member of the victorious 2001 Walker Cup team has failed to retain full membership.
Last year he finished 128th on the money list and this year he’s season has been highlighted by second in January’s Joburg Open.
And former Hong Kong Open winner Colin Montgomerie has ended his 25th year on the European Tour without teeing up in the second round.
Montgomerie won the 2005 Hong Kong Open. He finished tied for 6th at this year’s Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles for his best finish in over four years.
The 49-year old Scot will end his season competing in the December 13th commencing Royal Trophy in Brunei.
Australia’s Rick Kulacz was also a withdrawal along with the India pair of Chiragh Kumar and Digvijay Singh.
Both players posted 10-over par first round scores of 80.
