Gary King returns to home soil for this week’s Bridgestone Challenge as a European Challenge Tour winner after a breakthrough first season at this level, and is hoping the event can inspire the next generation of English talent.
The 26 year old was on the EuroPro Tour last year, winning twice to earn graduation to Europe’s top developmental tour, and started this season strongly by triumphing at the Montecchia Open by Lyoness in May.
The Challenge Tour has not had a tournament in England since 2012, and King is excited to enjoy some home support, and keen to impress the importance of young golfers having the opportunity to see top level golf up close at Heythrop Park Resort.
“It’s an exciting week,” he said. “I’ve got some family coming over to watch and a few friends, and it’s always nice to be playing close to home – it’ll be the only time I get to do it this year so I’m really looking forward to it.
“It’s important to show English talent what they might be able to do, where they can hope to go next. It’s something I always used to do as a youngster, watching players play at a higher level.
“I remember watching Rory McIlroy in the Lytham Trophy, he played with Lloyd Saltman I think in the last group and ended up coming second.
“I always used to enjoy watching other players and learning from them – it’s important to do as a junior and it’s a great opportunity for any of the spectators this week who want to come and watch the Challenge Tour players and learn.”
English golf is enjoying a good year on the Challenge Tour, with Jordan Smith – winner in Egypt – Aaron Rai and Ben Stow all inside the top 15 on the Road to Oman.
James Heath and Sam Walker have also tasted victory this season, while King is quick to praise Challenge Tour alumnus Justin Rose for his work as an English golfing role-model, particularly in light of his gold medal at the Olympic Games.
“Justin Rose is an idol of mine,” he said. “I think he wears the national flag and the team colours fantastically well and you could see that last week in the Olympics where he did so well.
“He’s definitely a role-model for all us English players and it’s definitely very important for us to have someone like him leading the charge and inspiring all English golfers.”
With the season entering its final swing, the Road to Oman Rankings draw ever more focus, with the top 15 at the end of the year earning European Tour cards for next season.
King is currently in 18thspot, only 2,300 points behind Adrien Saddier in 15th, and he is hoping to find his best form ahead of the last few crucial events of the season.
“The year’s been pretty steady,” he said. “It hasn’t been quite as good as I would have liked but I’ve been working as hard as ever, trying to do all the right things, so hopefully it’s just a matter of time before I really start to pick up some really good form.
“Top 15 is definitely still the aim, I’ve just got to take it week by week. I’m still in a pretty good position in the Rankings and there are some big money events coming up, it’s just important to start to play well now and hopefully it can then take care of itself.”
