After a long season, it’s time to reflect and refocus with no doubts about what I want to achieve going forward
My 2023 season has come to an end – unfortunately a little earlier than I had hoped and expected.
I finished 53rd on the Challenge Tour rankings, which was enough to retain full status for 2024, but not enough to gain promotion to the DP World Tour. As a result, I headed to the second stage of Qualifying School. I played some decent golf after an awful opening round, but ultimately did not do enough to advance to the final stage.
This is not how I thought the season would turn out, but in golf you get what you deserve, and I didn’t do enough this year to earn a full DP World Tour card.
It often doesn’t look or feel like it, but I have made solid progress since this time last year. My understanding of myself and my game is far beyond what it used to be. Going through such a tough period on the golf course has forced me to do a lot of inward reflection. I have had to be brutally honest with myself to determine the best path forward, leaving no stone unturned.
The first questions to be answered were: ‘Do I still want to do this, and do I still believe I can do it?’
I have doubted my ability and desire at times, which is natural given my results over the past two years. I had my coach, Andrew Nicholson, out in Florida for a week-long camp prior to Q School. We did some amazing work, but the biggest take away from the week was that my desire is still there. I absolutely loved it. Pursuing mastery is what I love most and spending those days working on things, solving problems, and just being in the moment was a revelation. I think I had lost touch with that side of myself because I had become so results focused. I am at my best when I have a task and a clear head. I have spent the last few years more focused on cuts, money and playing rights than simply trying to become the best player possible. Obviously, results are important – but I have always been at my happiest and therefore, best, when focused on making my practice as effective as possible. This allows me to then relish competing, as opposed to worrying about the outcome.
Looking forward, I have a long break before the start of the 2024 Challenge Tour season in South Africa at the end of January. This is a great opportunity to continue my development in all aspects, and spend time with my girls. I will also try and find some small tournaments to compete in locally, so that I can accurately monitor my development and keep sharp. Ultimately, my hunger to compete in the biggest events is there and I am excited put in the work required to get back in that position.
