Connor Syme and Calum Hill tee off in Qatar

Connor Syme has had to endure a stop/start beginning to the 2021 campaign but is aiming to make his mark this week in Qatar. Stock pic by John Stewart

Just two of the world’s top 50 are missing from the field at the high class Players, being hosted at the iconic TPC Sawgrass, where Rory McIlroy will aim to defend his title.

But, in Qatar, Drumoig’s Connor Syme and Calum Hill, from Kinross, are back on European Tour duty at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.

They’ve joined a competitive field with Thomas Pieters, Joost Luiten, Andy Sullivan and Alex Levy amongst those also lining up.

Both Connor and Calum started their campaigns early on Thursday morning and will have headed into the event confident of being in the mix come Sunday.

For 25-year-old Connor it’s a welcome return to competitive golf after enduring a stop/start opening to 2021.

The Drumoig pro has been able to get just one event under his belt since the season started, finishing in a tie for 111th at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic in January.

Having made a real breakthrough in 2020, and enjoying his best year as a pro, it’s been a frustrating couple of months for Connor who will now belatedly look to build on last year’s momentum.

Calum has been able to get a lot more golf under his belt and headed to Qatar on the back of his best finish as a pro, a tie for fourth at the Saudi International.

Following this week’s event, the tour then heads to Kenya for back-to-back events before another brief break.