Stuart Grehan has called time on his career as a touring professional to focus on his work as a financial consultant with the aim of regaining his amateur status for the 2026 Walker Cup in Lahinch.
Grehan bowed out with a flourish at the Challenge Tour’s D+D REAL Czech Challenge with a bogey free weekend to finish in T40 on twelve-under.
However, he pocketed just over €1,500 for his efforts and as the 31-year-old moves onto the next phase of his family life he feels now is the best time to step off the tour.
“I’ve given it a go for six years and given it my all. Just hasn’t worked out for me, haven’t got the break when I needed to. You need to be good enough too so it’s the right call for me at this moment,” said Grehan who plied his trade on the Clutch Pro Tour this season before earning his first Challenge Tour start this week.
Grehan’s professional career ends with one official world golf ranking win in 86 events, coming on the now defunct EuroPro Tour in 2022 while he also won the K Club Pro-Am that year as well as some winter tour events in Spain.
Now married and with a newborn in the house, the Tullamore man knows it’s time. But he is going to pursue another passion of his as he aims to complete his QFA exams.
“I’ve won a couple of things had a few chances to win. Had a chance on Challenge Tour one year, had some success here and there. The K Club win and EuroPro would be the two highlights.
“If you are not on the bigger tours or main tours it can be a grind, it’s tough going.
“Still studying away, done three exams and they have all gone pretty well. I’ve spoken to the guys at DFP where I am going to start working. I have a big interest in that as well.”
Grehan’s professional career had been on a season by season basis in recent years but while he has taken the decision to step away from tour life, he has no intention of packing the golf clubs away for good.
A six-time winner at amateur level, he is aiming to regain his amateur status with qualification for the 2026 Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup team in Lahinch his big goal.
“I would love to get my amateur status back in six or twelve months and go back competing. If I was totally giving up the game I would be very upset. I gave my all on the professional scene it just hasn’t worked out for me. I’m OK with that.
“I’m looking forward to playing Senior Cup and Barton Shield and maybe getting back into the Ireland set up so there is lots to look forward to.
“I’ve to get my cards in the next few weeks before the maths come in. Walker Cup in 2026 Lahinch so I am eyeing that up as well.”
Ardglass man Cormac Sharvin finished as best of the Irish in twelfth place on seventeen-under-par after a final round of 65 while Conor O’Rourke was ten-under, Michael Young nine-under and Ronan Mullarney, Paul Dunne and Paul McBride were all eight-under.
The winner was Benjamin Follett Smith on 28-under.
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