Latest news with #Syme
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Connor Syme on Bob MacIntyre inspiration and Home of Golf strains
Scots star admits there's expectation on the boys from golf's birthplace Connor Syme senses an added pressure representing the Home of Golf as Bob MacIntyre sets the benchmark. The Fifer says it's back to work after the highs of his KLM Open win and he's aiming for a big week at The Renaissance. Syme is amongst six Tartan stars looking to deliver at the Genesis Scottish Open and emulate MacIntyre's success of 12 months ago. The 29-year-old knows there is always a degree of expectation on Scots stars as he addressed the current position of the game in his country. Syme stated: 'I guess we are probably kind of getting it back. Certainly, when I was coming through amateur golf, the talent that we have in Scotland for whatever reason didn't end up making it on Tour, certainly, at that point. 'I think a few of those guys probably still could do it, but, from my age group growing up, there's quite a lot of us have managed to get on Tour and have won, which is awesome. 'I think we're all pushing each other on where we can all get to, who knows. Obviously, with the Home of Golf, it definitely carries its pressures and stuff with that about trying to live up to that. 'Bob is doing absolutely brilliantly and we are all trying to get, hopefully, to where he gets to. Growing up playing golf with him, you always had that kind of tenacity and willingness to do really, really well in tournaments. He's always won big tournaments growing up. 'It's not that surprising, but seeing him actually going and doing it is really impressive and the results he's had here, certainly, the last couple years, he basically won it two years in a row, barring Rory [McIlroy] finishing the way he did a couple years ago. 'It shows it's possible and he's doing just absolutely brilliantly, and it is really good to see. Obviously, I watched all the US Open and he looked like the guy that was going to win it. It's very inspiring.' Syme wants a MacIntyre moment at Renaissance and continued: 'Even when I won in Holland, it was like taking you back as a kid to when you're put to go try and win tournaments. For us, being Scottish, they are the ones you think about more, The Open, The Scottish Open, the Masters, they are the stuff you dream about. 'Obviously, having got a win, it's definitely given me a lot of belief that I can do that. That is a dream to have that sort of moment. But you've got to play so much golf to get to that point and that's the kind of work we're doing out there, to try and make moments like that possible.' As well as the trophy in East Lothian, there are three places available for The Open at Royal Portrush and Syme is determined to return having featured in the 147th Championship at the venue six years ago. He said: 'It would be awesome to go back. Looking at this as the last opportunity to try and get in, would be cool. But I was chatting to a few people about it. This is obviously such a massive tournament and that's the dangling carrot, too. 'But I'm trying to focus as well as I can and do as well as I can in this tournament and hopefully I can play well enough to tick off a lot of things. 'The thing with golf, there's always something, you always want something more. This is a great tournament. 'I'm going to try my best to do as best I can here and, hopefully, I can get some nice rewards from that.'
The National
2 days ago
- Sport
- The National
No resting on laurels as Syme eyes Genesis Scottish Open
In this game, though, you can't afford to rest on your laurels. 'It doesn't become any easier just because you've won,' said Syme of a fickle business that has a habit of bringing folk down to earth with the kind of bump that should be accompanied by a warning to assume the brace position. 'I'm still working on the same things in my swing and the same stuff with my chipping and my putting. Obviously, the confidence is there that in a high-pressure situation I can get a win. But golf is just as difficult as it was before. It's nice to enjoy the win, but it's back to work.' This week's office is the Renaissance Club for the Genesis Scottish Open. While his fellow Scot, Robert MacIntyre, returns to this parish as the defending champion, Syme is looking to build on a sturdy share of 15th in the championship 12 months ago. As well as all the bounty on offer in the domestic showpiece, there's also a big old orange root vegetable dangling invitingly on a stick in terms of Open qualifying. The leading three players, not otherwise exempt, will gain a tee-time for next week's final men's major of the season at Royal Portrush. The Renaissance, then, doesn't just had a lavishly appointed clubhouse. It's got a last chance saloon too. 'This is my final opportunity to get in and it would be cool to go back,' said Syme who played in The Open the last time it was held across the water in Northern Ireland back in 2019. 'This is obviously such a massive tournament but that (an Open place) is the dangling carrot too. The thing with golf is that you always want something more. I'm trying to focus and hopefully play well enough to tick off a lot of things.' During the course of his career, Syme has certainly ticked off a few boxes along the way. After a rewarding stint in the amateur ranks, Syme notched a victory on the second-tier HotelPlanner Tour as he graduated to the main DP World Tour. With MacIntyre at the vanguard, the tartan army on the tour has made its presence felt in recent years. In a topsy-turvy game of peaks and troughs, it wasn't that long ago that the crochety golf writers were bemoaning the lack of any Scots under the age of 30 on the tour. The current crop – Grant Forrest, Ewen Ferguson and Calum Hill have also recorded wins in the last few years – have given us plenty to write home about. It may be the cradle of the game, but Scotland certainly doesn't have a divine right to success. 'When I was coming through amateur golf, the talent that we had, for whatever reason, didn't end up making it on tour,' said Syme, who will move out of the ranks of the 20-somethings by celebrating his 30th birthday this weekend. 'Obviously, it's nice now to have quite a lot of us who have managed to get on tour and win on tour. Being from the home of golf, it definitely carries its pressures and stuff. 'But Bob (MacIntyre) is obviously doing absolutely brilliantly, and we are all trying to get to where he is.' MacIntyre's feats continue to drive on his compatriots. 'Growing up playing golf with him, he always had that kind of tenacity and willingness to do really, really well in tournaments,' added Syme, who was a team-mate of MacIntyre in the GB&I Walker Cup side of 2017. 'Seeing him actually going on and doing it is really impressive. It shows it's possible and it's very inspiring.' Syme himself is ticking along quite the thing. His victory in the Netherlands finally got him over the line after three seconds, four thirds and 18 0ther top-10s on the main circuit. 'Everyone is so good, and it's really hard to win,' he said. Like a slogan for a pint of well-kent Irish stout, good things come to those who wait. 'When I won in Holland, it was like going back to being a kid when you're putting to win tournaments,' added Syme of those dreamy days all golfers had when you'd whisper 'this for' as you hovered over a putt. 'All the reps I'd done was to have a moment like that. 'Obviously, the ones you think about more are The Open, the Scottish Open and the Masters. That's the stuff you dream about. Having got a win, it's definitely given me a lot of belief that I can do that.' Sometimes, those golfing dreams do come true.
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
No resting on laurels as Syme eyes Genesis Scottish Open
'I'm still working on the same things in my swing and the same stuff with my chipping and my putting. Obviously, the confidence is there that in a high-pressure situation I can get a win. But golf is just as difficult as it was before. It's nice to enjoy the win, but it's back to work.' This week's office is the Renaissance Club for the Genesis Scottish Open. While his fellow Scot, Robert MacIntyre, returns to this parish as the defending champion, Syme is looking to build on a sturdy share of 15th in the championship 12 months ago. As well as all the bounty on offer in the domestic showpiece, there's also a big old orange root vegetable dangling invitingly on a stick in terms of Open qualifying. The leading three players, not otherwise exempt, will gain a tee-time for next week's final men's major of the season at Royal Portrush. The Renaissance, then, doesn't just had a lavishly appointed clubhouse. It's got a last chance saloon too. 'This is my final opportunity to get in and it would be cool to go back,' said Syme who played in The Open the last time it was held across the water in Northern Ireland back in 2019. 'This is obviously such a massive tournament but that (an Open place) is the dangling carrot too. The thing with golf is that you always want something more. I'm trying to focus and hopefully play well enough to tick off a lot of things.' During the course of his career, Syme has certainly ticked off a few boxes along the way. After a rewarding stint in the amateur ranks, Syme notched a victory on the second-tier HotelPlanner Tour as he graduated to the main DP World Tour. With MacIntyre at the vanguard, the tartan army on the tour has made its presence felt in recent years. In a topsy-turvy game of peaks and troughs, it wasn't that long ago that the crochety golf writers were bemoaning the lack of any Scots under the age of 30 on the tour. The current crop – Grant Forrest, Ewen Ferguson and Calum Hill have also recorded wins in the last few years – have given us plenty to write home about. It may be the cradle of the game, but Scotland certainly doesn't have a divine right to success. 'When I was coming through amateur golf, the talent that we had, for whatever reason, didn't end up making it on tour,' said Syme, who will move out of the ranks of the 20-somethings by celebrating his 30th birthday this weekend. 'Obviously, it's nice now to have quite a lot of us who have managed to get on tour and win on tour. Being from the home of golf, it definitely carries its pressures and stuff. 'But Bob (MacIntyre) is obviously doing absolutely brilliantly, and we are all trying to get to where he is.' MacIntyre's feats continue to drive on his compatriots. 'Growing up playing golf with him, he always had that kind of tenacity and willingness to do really, really well in tournaments,' added Syme, who was a team-mate of MacIntyre in the GB&I Walker Cup side of 2017. 'Seeing him actually going on and doing it is really impressive. It shows it's possible and it's very inspiring.' Syme himself is ticking along quite the thing. His victory in the Netherlands finally got him over the line after three seconds, four thirds and 18 0ther top-10s on the main circuit. 'Everyone is so good, and it's really hard to win,' he said. Like a slogan for a pint of well-kent Irish stout, good things come to those who wait. 'When I won in Holland, it was like going back to being a kid when you're putting to win tournaments,' added Syme of those dreamy days all golfers had when you'd whisper 'this for' as you hovered over a putt. 'All the reps I'd done was to have a moment like that. 'Obviously, the ones you think about more are The Open, the Scottish Open and the Masters. That's the stuff you dream about. Having got a win, it's definitely given me a lot of belief that I can do that.' Sometimes, those golfing dreams do come true.
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
How MacIntyre's famous Scottish Open win inspired homegrown hopes
Grand Slam king Rory McIlroy and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler among favourites in East Lothian Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Bob MacIntyre may well, as the modern idiom goes, be doing a lot of the heavy lifting. But the handful of Scots providing back up over the East Lothian links this week are all eager to shoulder their share of the burden. As Connor Syme puts it, there is definitely a degree of 'pressure' to be borne by any golfer lucky enough to have the Saltire next to their name on a leaderboard anywhere in the world. In the Genesis Scottish Open teeing off at The Renaissance Club on Thursday, the weight is increased – and focused on the few home hopes good enough to tee up in a world-class field. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad So, while defending champion MacIntyre will inevitably draw major focus, especially after his barnstorming runner-up finish in the recent US Open, compatriots Callum Hill, Richie Ramsay, Ewan Ferguson, Grant Forrest and Syme himself will be well supported. And expected to repay that support. Syme, who picked up a first DP World Tour title by winning the KLM Open just last month, knows that this is traditionally the season for examining the strength – or otherwise – of Scottish golf. Bolstered not just by his own recent triumph but the inspiration provided by MacIntyre, he feels reasonably good about the state of this nation. 'Home of Golf' tag adds to expectation 'Yeah, obviously with this being the Home of Golf, it definitely carries its pressures and stuff with that about trying to live up to that,' he admitted, adding: 'Bob is obviously doing absolutely brilliantly, and we are all trying to get, hopefully, to where he gets to. 'I think, I guess we are probably kind of getting it back probably. Certainly when I was coming through amateur golf, the talent that we have in Scotland for whatever reason didn't end up making it on Tour, certainly, at that point. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I think a few of those guys probably still could do it but it's obviously nice to have, certainly, from my age group growing up, there's quite a lot of us have managed to get on Tour and have won on Tour, which is awesome. So yeah, I think we're all pushing each other on where we can all get to, who knows. 'Yeah, obviously growing up playing golf with Bob, he always had that kind of tenacity and willingness to do really, really well in tournaments. He's always kind of won big tournaments growing up. 'It's not that surprising. But obviously seeing him actually going and doing it is really impressive, and you know, obviously the results he's had here, certainly, the last couple years … he basically won it two years in a row, barring Rory finishing the way he did a couple years ago! 'But yeah, I guess it shows it's possible, and he's doing just absolutely brilliantly, and it is really good to see. Obviously watched all the US Open, and he looked like the guy that was going to win it to be honest. It's very inspiring.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Winning on home soil the 'dream' for Scots Decades spent covering this tournament, in one guise or another, includes having heard virtually ever Scottish golfer ever to tee it up declaring that winning this one would be like claiming a Major title. The look on MacIntyre's face when he got the job done last year said it all, right? Syme, asked if he'd allowed himself to dream about enjoying that sort of moment here on Sunday night, admitted: 'Even when I won in Holland, it was like taking you back as a kid to when, in your mind, you're always putting to win tournaments. That's what I was thinking about to be honest when I had that putt to win. 'And obviously for us, being Scottish, those are the ones you think about more, The Open, The Scottish Open, The Masters. That's the stuff you dream about. 'Obviously having got a win, it's definitely given me a lot of belief that I can do that. You find yourself trying to start like the night before, you're imagining it. Sometimes even at the start of the week on Thursday, you have a good round, and you think about Sunday; it's far away because there's so much golf. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'But obviously that is a dream to have that sort of moment. But you've got to play so much golf to get to that point. And that's the kind of work we're doing out there, to try and make moments like that possible. 'It's been four or five weeks since my win. Time to sink in and stuff like that. Very, very happy to finally get it done. It's been great. 'I love this golf course. We've been coming here for obviously quite a few years now, and it always gets better every year. 'It gets more linksy, there's something added to try and make it, enhance it each year. So yeah, it's one I like and hopefully I can kind of feed off the good performance last year and build on that. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'When I went back to practise, the week leading up to Italy and into Munich, it doesn't become any easier just because you've won. Still working on the same things in my swing and the same stuff with my chipping and my putting. 'Obviously the confidence is there, and the evidence that you can do it, in a high-pressure situation to get a win. But golf is just as difficult as it was before. It's nice to enjoy it but it's kind of back to work in a way.' Open Championship places at Portrush up for grabs Syme has made the cut every year in this event, with last year's 15th-place finish his best ever. Having once shot a 62 just along the road at Gullane, he's clearly comfortable with the feel of the links on this gorgeous stretch of coastline. With places at next week's Open Championship up for grabs, three for the leading non-exempt players who make the cut, Syme has two targets to chase over familiar territory. Having qualified for the 2019 Open at Portrush, he'd dearly love to get another crack at the Claret Jug. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Yeah, it would be cool,' he said, adding: 'It would be awesome to go back. You know, obviously looking at this as the last opportunity to try and get in, would be cool. 'But I was chatting to a few people about it yesterday, this is obviously such a massive tournament and that's the dangling carrot, too. I'm trying to focus as well as I can and do as well as I can in this tournament - and hopefully I can play well enough to tick off a lot of things. 'But the thing with golf, there's always something. You always want something more. You know, this is a great tournament. I'm going to try my best to do as best I can here and hopefully I can get some nice rewards from that. 'My history has been good here. That's been a really pleasing thing. Again, obviously courses we're used to and growing up playing in. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'So yeah, hopefully I can kind of keep building on that. Yeah, it's just … I think the familiarity, I suppose, of links golf, helps. And being in front of home crowds, family, friends, it's always a nice feeling. Not that you try any harder, but obviously probably keeps you going through difficult moments that little bit easier, probably.'
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
'We're getting there' - Connor Syme opens up on state of Scottish golf
Scotland's newest KLM Open winner reflects on valuable support he received as an amateur Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Connor Syme reckons Scotland's next generation of professionals - the likes of Connor Graham, Cameron Adam and Hannah Darling - would benefit from the same level of support that helped him become the country's newest DP World Tour winner. Along with Bob MacIntyre, Grant Forrest and Ewen Ferguson among others, Syme gained valuable experience from playing in Challenge Tour events through an amateur-to-professional initiative involving Scottish Golf and Edinburgh-based Bounce Sport. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Coupled with playing in events around the world thanks to support he received as a Scottish Golf squad member, that gave Syme the platform to hit the ground running when he made the switch to the paid ranks in 2017. Connor Syme talks to the media during a press conference prior to the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club |The 31-year-old is now teeing up alongside some of the world's top players in this week's Genesis Scottish Open as the KLM Open winner after landing a maiden DP World Tour triumph, handling a pre-event press conference at The Renaissance Club in the same polished manner as the final round in Amsterdam last month. 'Good question,' he replied to being asked if he felt that Scotland as a professional elite golfing nation punches above or below its weight in the modern-day game, with MacIntyre, helped by his double win on the PGA Tour last season sitting 14th in the Official World Golf Ranking but only Ferguson being the other player flying the Saltire sitting in the current top 150. 'I guess we are probably kind of getting it back. Certainly when I was coming through amateur golf, the talent that we had in Scotland for whatever reason didn't end up making it on tour at that point. 'I think a few of those guys probably still could do it, but it's obviously nice that from my age group growing up, quite a lot of us have managed to get on tour and have won on tour, which is awesome. But, yeah, obviously with the home of golf, it definitely carries its pressures and trying to live up to that. Bob is obviously doing absolutely brilliantly and we are all trying to get, hopefully, to where he gets to.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The likes of Denmark, which has produced a whole host of DP World Tour winners in recent years, and Sweden are nations that seem to keep producing talented players on a constant basis, with Syme being asked if he had seen anything those countries do that Scotland doesn't. 'I'm not too sure,' he replied to that one. 'I think certainly from my point of view and I guess I can only speak about it from my experience with Scottish Golf, I think I got it really, really good. We had such amazing support, and if I'm honest, I didn't go to college in America because of the support Scottish Golf offered us. We'd spend eight weeks in South Africa and four weeks in the Middle East. In 2016, I won the Australian Amateur when I was out there for four weeks. Connor Syme landed his maiden DP World Tour win in the KLM Open last month |'I think that was a real exposure to what professional golf is like. I don't even play four or five weeks in a row now. But having that experience of being away for long periods of time helped me so much. That was definitely something I look back on as going, wow, that has really, really helped me to get on tour and understand what it's like. 'After I won the Australian Amateur, I played in the Joburg Open on the DP World Tour. These were all little milestones I wanted to try and expose myself to before turning professional. I played in The Open and Walker Cup and stuff like that. That was all stuff that I drew on to then turn pro and then start off quite well.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Due to a lack of funding, the aforementioned amateur-to-pro transition scheme is no longer in place, meaning the likes of Graham and Adam, both of whom have qualified for next week's 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, and Darling, who is set to turn professional after this week's European Women's Team Championship in France, are not as well prepared when the time comes to make the switch. 'It's obviously difficult because I don't know enough about what's happening, but I think I definitely benefitted a lot from that, for sure,' continued Syme. 'I know, there was SportScotland support and we had support from Johann Rupert (through the Alfred Dunhill Links Foundation) to be able to do what we did back then. It's all money-related, really, what they can afford to do. I definitely did benefit from it. 'Obviously I had support from my parents as well and, when I didn't go to college in the US, my dad was like 'right, we're going to do this for four years like you're at college almost'. I was almost serving my apprenticeship of a wee amateur kind of trying to be a pro almost through that. Although I was still working at the range (Drumoig Golf Centre), I was practising and preparing like I would be like I am now. But definitely the funding and support that we had at that point was amazing and it would obviously be brilliant for the guys and girls coming through if they can get that back.' Bob MacIntyre celebrates after being crowned as the Genesis Scottish Open champion at The Renaissance Club 12 months ago | Getty Images
