Simon Thornton has a big decision to make over the next few months as he weighs up whether to play in his second PGA Cup or play a hometown Amgen Irish Open in September.
Thornton eased his way onto the Great Britain and Ireland PGA Cup side in Oregon this September at the PGA Playoffs in Aphrodite Hills, Cyprus and by winning the event he also secured starts on both the DP World Tour and Challenge Tour with the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth a standout prize.
However, Thornton has also booked his spot at the Amgen Irish Open in Royal County Down which would be his first appearance in the event since 2021.
The Spa Golf Club professional is a Newcastle resident and Royal County Down is his home club. Although he loved his PGA Cup debut in 2022. A date clash between the 9-15th of September means the 44-year-old has a decision to make.
Does he represent Great Britain and Ireland in the PGA Cup or play in a home Irish Open?
“I have a big decision to make whether it’s PGA Cup or Irish Open in Newcastle,” admitted Thornton after a one-shot win in Cyprus.
Funnily enough ahead of the Playoffs, Thornton had a conversation with his wife where this potential scenario came up and he is delighted to have such a scheduling headache.
“They clash the same week then I fly back from the PGA Cup on the Tuesday or Monday for Wentworth that week. I’ll play Wentworth regardless but the decision of Irish Open being in Royal County Down on home soil where I live is a great problem.
“My wife and I talked about it what would I do if I had the problem, now I have the problem and it’s a great problem. We will sit down and discuss it but thinking in the back of my mind I know what I want to do.”
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