ONE of South Africa’s top amateur golf players, 19-year-old Tristen Strydom from Serengeti Golf Club, gave up his amateur status this week prior to hopping on a flight to Portugal.
The former world junior champion decided to not give himself any options but to make a living as European tour professional. He will be spending the next week in Portugal with his caddy to acclimatise and get used to the European course conditions.
The first qualifying stage is held from September 27 to 30 at Ribagolfe in Portugal. Strydom will line up with two of his countrymen, Albert Venter and Bryce Easton.
The tournament is held over four days with cuts introduced after day two and three. The top 18 at the end of the tournament should advance to stage two which will take place later this year.
Strydom’s form of late has been great as he won another three titles on one of South Africa’s development tours. The youngster’s ability to string a driver through the proverbial eye of a needle is absolutely astonishing.
Combine that with the softest pair of hands in golf around the greens one can only be positive about his chances of being handed his tour card.
Strydom’s decision to turn pro before his departure to Europe came to many as a surprise but in an interview prior to his departure the fiery professional said: “it’s time to go to work”.
