Amateur champ gets set for European Tour test

Drumoig's Connor Syme, last year's Australian Amateur champion, will compete with the European Tour's finest at next week's Joburg Open.

The event sees the tour head to the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club for the tournament won by Haydn Porteous last year.

Former Open champion Darren Clarke and BMW South African Open winner Graeme Storm are amongst those due to take part along with Syme’s fellow Scots Marc Warren, David Drysdale, Scott Jamieson, Duncan Stewart and Scott Henry in the European Tour field.

It’s the Drumoig amateurs first event in a season where he’s hoping to cement a place in the Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup side.

Syme is one of four amateurs to be given invitations for the event, which takes place from 23 – 26 February at Royal Johannesburg & Kensington GC.

His opportunity comes after he competed with the professionals in the Emirates Australian Open before Christmas, by virtue of winning the Australian Amateur crown.

“It should be a great few weeks down in South Africa,” he said.

“Thank you Scottish Golf, Dunhill Links and Aberdeen Asset Management for this amazing opportunity.”

After the Joburg Open, Syme will join his Scotland colleagues in for the African Amateur Strokeplay Championship at Leopard Creek.