Stuart Grehan is hoping an ideal course fit next week in Kells can play to his strengths as he looks to fast-track his development to Europe’s main tour at the Irish Challenge.
Headfort’s New Course will play host to Europe’s second tier from July 27-30 with several Irish stars looking to make the most of home comforts and push towards the top-20 on the Road to Mallorca and DP World Tour promotion.
Opportunity knocks for the home contenders with the Christy O’Connor Jr Memorial Trophy set to be again awarded to the highest placed Irish player at the end of the week and with the trophy comes an invitation to this year’s Horizon Irish Open.
Grehan has enjoyed decent finishes despite limited starts on the Challenge Tour this year and played all four rounds most recently at the Kaskada Golf Challenge in June where he placed tied-36th.
Grehan made the cut in Headfort in 2019 and he is looking forward to more home comforts next week on and off the golf course.
“I am looking forward to it,” Grehan says. “It’s a really good golf course. I think the last time we played there the event was in October so playing in the middle of summer it will be nice and firm but I only live 40 minutes away from it and I’ve played it a few times over the last twelve months.
“It’s a golf course that suits my eye, it’s a ball-striker’s golf course so I’m excited to get going and see what happens.
“It’s always nice to sleep in your own bed as well, cook your own food, come home and see Carla and see Rico so yeah, it definitely makes a difference.”
Having been a part of the now defunct EuroPro Tour, the 30-year-old has divided his time between the Clutch Pro Tour and the Challenge Tour this term. And although starts on Europe’s second tier haven’t been free flowing, he feels he is growing in comfort at this level.
“I feel a lot more comfortable now on the Challenge Tour so I like the golf course,” Grehan says. “To make an Irish Open appearance at the K Club – one of my favourite courses – would be great. If I can play well in Headfort and make it to the Irish Open, that would certainly open a lot of doors.
“I’ve had a few decent results recently so I feel more comfortable and my game suits the tougher tests. It does take time to get used to the bigger stage with the courses and more travel involved but I am settling into it a lot more.
“Some of the golf courses are so demanding off the tee and incredibly stressful. You can make any number on any hole but if you hit a really good tee shot some courses really open up. I’ve worked hard on my driving which has improved a lot and that has opened up the way to play the golf courses, it’s easier to play from the fairway. Off the tee this year is the biggest improvement I have made.
“I enjoy practicing and I enjoy playing. A lot of my friends who I would have played Palmer Cups and St Andrews Trophies with are on the DP World and PGA Tour now so it would be great to play with them again. Just seeing them up there only motivates me more.”
You can attend the Irish Challenge FOR FREE by registering for tickets HERE
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