Connor Syme aiming to pick up from where he left off as European Tour resumes

Austria will host back to back dual events on both the European and Challenge Tours with the Austrian Open teeing off on July 9 before the Euram Bank Open the following week.

Connor is amongst those still scheduled to compete in at least the first event before the main tour starts properly with a six event UK swing, beginning on July 22 with the Betfred British Masters.

But despite his current inclusion on the European Tour’s entry list for the event, travel issues may yet force a re-think.

Before the tour closed down due to the outbreak of coronavirus, Connor’s campaign had got off to a solid start.

From the seven events played, his various finishes had helped him rack up 171.4 Race to Dubai points and sit in 61st place on the rankings table.

Under normal circumstances the points are crucial to ensuring players retain their tour cards but, with the season being hampered so badly, European Tour chief Keith Pelley has confirmed that no player will lose their tour card this year.

Connor says that should reduce some of the stress of playing tournaments, but he’s still determined to make an impact in the season.

“It feels like a totally new season we’re about to go into,” said the Drumoig pro.

“But that’s good and the goal now is to finish as high up the rankings as we can.

“There’s nothing to lose when we go back and I’ll really be pushing for a high finish.

“There are some good opportunities and some good competitions coming up, so if I can continue the form from before lockdown, I should be ok.

“I’m just really looking forward to getting back and competing again.

“Once I have a card back in my hand it will definitely be exciting.”

Connor’s fellow European Tour pro, Calum Hill from Kinross, is not currently scheduled to compete at the Austrian Open.

The Euram Bank Open, though, would bring back good memories for Calum, who lifted the title in July last year.

The victory, on the Challenge Tour, came at the start of an excellent summer for the Kinross pro who would also go on the secure his main tour card, along with Connor, at the conclusion of the Challenge Tour season.

Other Scots in the field for the Austrian Open, at the time of writing, are Ewen Ferguson, Craig Howie and Marc Warren.

Scott Henry, Ross Craig and Chris Robb are outwith the automatic entries but may be invited to play should players decide to pull out.

Amongst the big names set to join Connor to compete in Austria are Spaniard Miguel Ángel Jiménez, Dutchman Joost Luiten and Finn Sami Välimäki.

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspapers - the Fife Free Press, Fife Herald, St Andrews Citizen and East Fife Mail.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

Allan Crow, Editor, Fife Free Press