Brinson Paolini makes a return to the Challenge Tour at this week’s Turkish Airlines Challenge and the American is hoping to add another title to the one he claimed in 2013 before going on to play a full season on The European Tour last year.
The 24 year old made an early impression on Europe’s top developmental tour two years ago when, in just his third start and on an invite, he roared to victory in the inaugural Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge.
Having lost his European Tour status, which he gained through 2013 Qualifying School Final stage, and suffered an injury over the winter, Paolini is now hoping he can repeat those heroics upon his return to the Challenge Tour.
“I never had any doubts about coming out here,” said the former Duke University student. “I’ve loved my experiences out here on the Challenge Tour and on The European Tour, so much fun and so many cool people.
“I’ve been to some great places too. I’m happy to be out here and I’d love to get back to The European Tour. This is a great way to do that so that’s my main focus, do the best I can and try get back there.
“I hurt myself toward the end of last year, tore a ligament in my ankle, so I had to take a couple of months off, so I’m getting my health back and getting my game in order. I’m happy to be back.
“My status isn’t great for Challenge Tour this year so I’m just trying to get in when I can and see how I play.
“I was fortunate to come out here in 2013 with no status and I played my way onto the tour and my game was pretty good. I’m two years older now, I have a lot of experience and I’m hoping to use that this week and for the rest of the year.
“I’m just going to see how it goes out here. I bought a one way ticket to come out here and I’ll see how I play. It’s hard to tell what events I’ll get in to but I’ll play any events I get into and see how it goes.”
The Virginia native is feeling confident upon his return, especially having played the beautiful Gloria Golf Resort Old Course, which he believes is perfectly suited to his game.
“It’s a fantastic course out here,” he said. “It’s tree-lined and you’ve got to keep it straight so I think it suits my game a lot. I tend to keep it straight off the tee and keep the ball in play so if I can roll in a few putts hopefully I can get myself in contention.
“It’s actually a very northern USA-style golf course so it’s quite similar to what I grew up on, so I feel pretty much at home here.”
