Tour form pays off for Connor Syme with a place at season finale

Connor Syme’s excellent return to the European Tour was rewarded with a place at this week’s DP World Tour Championship.
By Scott Inglis
Published 10th Dec 2020, 09:25 BST
Updated 10th Dec 2020, 10:54 BST
Connor Syme tees off on the second tee during day one of the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates on December 10, 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)Connor Syme tees off on the second tee during day one of the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates on December 10, 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Connor Syme tees off on the second tee during day one of the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates on December 10, 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

The tournament is the final event of what has been a unique season on tour for obvious reasons and only open to those picking up enough Race to Dubai ranking points from across the season to qualify.

Connor, from Drumoig, who won his playing rights back for the main tour after promotion from the Challenge Tour last season, remained in the frame to qualify for the entire season such was his excellent form.

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The threat of demotion back down to the second tier for players not picking up enough Race to Dubai points was removed by organisers after events had to be cancelled due to coronavirus.

It no doubt contributed to Fife pro Connor being able to swing freely and as a result he played some of his best stuff since turning pro.

Speaking to the Fife Herald/St Andrews Citizen ahead of the season starting towards the end of last year, Connor spoke of his desire to get some points on the board early on.

He did just that, with an 11th place finish at the Alfred Dunhill Championship to enter the Race to Dubai inside the top 10.

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He then added ties for ninth at the AFRAsia Bank Mauritius Open and 22nd at the South African Open.

But it was the summer’s UK Swing where Connor stepped up a gear and came agonisingly close to winning his first European Tour title.

He was close to victory during the swing with three top 10s in a row.

This moved him back inside the Race to Dubai’s top 50, but a drop-off in form saw him begin to slip backwards until a top 10 in last week’s South African Open guaranteed him a spot in the final event of the year, being played over the Earth Course at Jumeriah Golf Estates, at 67th.

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Connor and playing partner, fellow Scot Grant Forrest, started their campaign in the 65 man field on Thursday morning.

Also in the field, and aiming to be crowned European number 1, are former Masters champion Patrick Reed and Ryder Cup heroes Tommy Fleetwood and Lee Westwood.

There is a great Scottish contingent with Bob MacIntyre, Scott Jamieson and Marc Warren also playing.

Related topics:Connor SymeFife

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