Portmarnock’s Conor Purcell will make his professional debut at Thursday’s starting AVJennings New South Wales Open at Twins Creeks Golf and Country Club.
This year’s Australian Amateur Champion returns to the land Down Under to tee off his professional career just west of Sydney after deciding that the paid circuit was the right route for him, despite entering the pro ranks without a management company or any sort of status.
The 22-year old son of PGA professional, Joey Purcell enjoyed a glittering amateur career that culminated in a Walker Cup call-up where he won one of four points on offer in a week where Great Britain and Ireland struggled against their U.S. counterparts.
A major sway in Purcell’s decision making would’ve been the fact that invites he earned for triumphing at the Australian Amateur would stand to him whether he turned pro or not.
Now, the Dubliner not only has this week in New South Wales to look forward to but he can test himself against some of the world’s best players at next week’s $1.5 million Australian Open with Adam Scott, Jason Day, Sergio Garcia and Louie Oosthuizen all confirmed in a stunning line-up for the Emirates sponsored event.
Purcell has already competed in a professional event as an amateur in Australia. He tested himself in professional company at the ISPS Handa Vic Open in February before rounds of 72 and 76 saw him fall short of the weekend cut.
Having risen to as high as 10th on this year’s World Amateur Golf Rankings, he will be hoping his amateur form translates to the pro ranks but whatever happens in this two week stint Down Under, Purcell will take a break for Christmas ahead of planning out a path to best tackle his Rookie season as a pro.
You can follow Purcell’s progress at the New South Wales Open HERE
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