Calum Hill is hoping to make it fifth time lucky this week as he goes in search of a season-best result at the Galgorm Resort and Spa Northern Ireland Open presented by Modest! Golf.
The highly-rated Scot outlined his credentials in June’s U.S. Open at the devilishly tricky Shinnecock Hills, where after qualifying for the event Hill went on to make the cut – a feat not achieved by such superstars as Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia, among others.
Following that impressive showing Hill arrived in Europe where after promising performances at Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge and the Euram Bank Open he failed to progress to the weekend in his next two starts in Scandinavia.
His fifth appearance on Europe’s top developmental tour will come this week in Northern Ireland, and although admitting he has made far too many errors over the last fortnight, the 23 year old still remains confident that he can return to the right end of the leaderboard at Galgorm Castle this week.
“It’s been a little sketchy so far – but I believe it will click together soon,” he said. “At the moment I’m just making a lot of errors which is a little uncharacteristic and a little strange as I normally don’t make as many bogeys or even doubles.
“But the birdies are still there so if I manage to narrow down the mistakes I should be just fine and hopefully it will all come together over the next few weeks.”
After six years at Western New Mexico University – where he spent the latter two years as the assistant golf coach at the Silver City campus – Hill showed that he can compete in the paid ranks by winning three professional events in the United States since he turned pro in April 2017.
Hill admits he is still adapting to the level of competition and the lifestyle on the Challenge Tour, but also states he is buoyed by the success his fellow countrymen are enjoying this year – four Scots are currently inside the top 30 on the Road to Ras Al Khaimah.
“It’s a really good level of competition,” he said. “I mean last week 21 under par was in a play-off – so that’s impressive!
“It’s a little more hectic I guess. I’ve never gone back to back so much. Northern Ireland will be my fifth in a row and just travelling where you leave on a Sunday, get a flight out on a Monday, get back playing on a Tuesday and then start preparing for Thursday is a little busier than I’m used to, but I’m enjoying it.
“I know five or six of the young Scottish guys as they are about my age and to see them all playing so well, week in week out, is really good. That regular progression towards the European Tour can only help all of us.”
