“I’ve got the best job in the world” South Africa the perfect setting for Nolan

Ronan MacNamara
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Liam Nolan (Photo by Johan Rynners/Getty Images)

Ronan MacNamara

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Liam Nolan believes that the style of golf played in South Africa is tailor-made for his game as he looks to continue his sensational start to professional golf.

Nolan who turned professional last August, made a quick start to life on the HotelPlanner Tour, taking advantage of invites with finishes of third and fourth in successive weeks to earn another spot in the field at the Cell C Cape Town Open.

The Galway man had a top-8 finish in South Africa as an amateur while on the annual trip with Golf Ireland and it’s proven the ideal place for him to begin his maiden pro campaign.

“I did some great work in the off season, and I don’t know what it is about South Africa, but I tend to play very well over here which is strange because it’s so different to golf in Ireland. The weather and grass types are so different, but I think these courses promote good ball-striking and that’s what I’ve done well over the first two weeks,” said the 24-year-old.

Nolan missed out on HotelPlanner Tour status by a shot at DP World Tour Q-School last November and had to settle for Alps Tour status.

He may not need the Alps if he can keep his strong performances going and having overcome foot blisters last Sunday he is capable of playing through the pain.

The Barna man is 36-under for his eight rounds so far and has that much needed momentum on his back so early in his career.

“I missed out on my card through DP World Tour Qualifying School by a shot, so it was very important for me to make a good start to the season. I was very fortunate to be invited by Golf Ireland to the SDC Open and MyGolfLife Open hosted by Pecanwood Estate and I was delighted to make the most of those invitations.”

Heading into this week, Nolan remains second in the HotelPlanner Tour’s Road to Mallorca standings in the race to win one of 20 DP World Tour cards at the end of the season.

More starts may come his way after this week in Cape Town depending on how he plays and after his hot start but he could earn improved status on the HotelPlanner Tour after the re-rank in July.

“I’m really enjoying myself out here and it’s my first full year as a professional. I’m extremely grateful to be able to play in these tournaments on these amazing golf courses. I’ve got the best job in the world.”

Nolan has put on a ball striking clinic over the last two weeks and, fairway finding will be the key this week and if he can keep the putter rolling like he has there is no reason why he can’t contend for a third week in a row.

“The challenge this week is different to the first two weeks. It’s a lot tighter off the tee and hitting the fairways will be a priority. If I can keep the ball in play and hit most of the greens in regulation, then I think I can put in another strong performance here.”

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