Fife golf star Connor Syme explains reasons for his recent form slump
Kirkcaldy-born golf ace Connor Syme has been explaining the main reason for his indifferent form on the DP World Tour in 2026.
The 30-year-old Drumoig star had a break-out season last term, winning the KLM Open for his first victory on Europe’s top professional circuit as he triumphed by two strokes from Swede Joakim Lagergren a year ago on his way to finishing in a solid 49th position in the end-of-season Race to Dubai rankings.
But it’s been a different story in 2026, with Syme currently way down in 166th position after finishing in a tie for 71st position on +11 (295) in this year’s version of the KLM Open, which ended on Sunday at The International in Amsterdam and was won by Spaniard Eugenio Chacarra on -11 (273).
Explaining his spectacular loss of form, Syme said: "My form at the start of the year was a little bit here nor there and I had six weeks off and I injured myself at the start of those six weeks.
"So I was kind of behind the eight ball a little bit, went back to China a little bit too early and hurt myself a little bit more. So it's been quite difficult.
"It's the first time I've been properly injured, to be honest, in my full career.”
Syme, who has either missed the cut or been forced to retire in seven of his last 10 events, dropped two places in the overall rankings despite making the cut last weekend but said he was now enjoying being “pain free” again as he looked ahead to the second half of the season.
While Syme finished in joint second last position of the players to make the cut in the Netherlands last weekend after rounds of 73, 68, 76 and 78, his fellow Fifer Calum Hill ended up in a tie for 14th position after firing rounds of 68, 70, 69 and 74 for -3 (281).
The 31-year-old had been in contention for a while in Amsterdam but produced his highest score of the week on Sunday as he faded out of contention for victory.
The result means that Hill drops three places to 17th in the latest Race to Dubai standings.
The DP World Tour now has a short break, although some members are qualified to play in next week’s US Open at Shinnecock Hills in New York.
The next regular DP World Tour event is the DS Automobiles 83° Open d'Italia from June 25 to 28.