Scott Gregory tees it up on the European Challenge Tour for the first time as a professional at this week’s Challenge de España following a whirlwind few weeks on either side of the Atlantic.
The Englishman, who was the 2016 Amateur Champion, formed part of the Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup team at Los Angeles Country Club two weeks ago in his last outing as an amateur.
Turning professional just last Monday, Gregory then played in the European Tour’s Portugal Masters last week and arrives at Izki Golf for his second Challenge Tour tournament following his appearance at last year’s Bridgestone Challenge.
“It’s a pretty cool time for me,” he said. “I managed to get into the Portugal Masters last week which was amazing, unfortunately I missed the cut by one, but it was a good experience.
“It’s been an incredible few weeks. It’s all happened so quickly as well – I only turned pro last Monday so it’s been an amazing few weeks.
“I’m looking forward to the challenges of professional golf. It’s a weird feeling because you go from being at the top of the amateur game to the very bottom of the pro game, so I’ve just got to work my way up and prepare for every week as best I can.
“I didn’t know exactly when I would turn pro but things happened that made it quite easy for me to decide – staying amateur for the Walker Cup, then getting these opportunities these last two weeks.
“I’m just trying to play well in whatever starts I can get and then I’ll be looking to secure some kind of card, either Challenge or European Tour, at Qualifying School next month.
“I was always going to play in the three Majors that I got into and really make the most of that. It was then a case of playing it how I felt at the time, and after the U.S. Open I felt that playing in the Walker Cup was right for me.
“That wasn’t always the plan, I had initially thought of turning pro right after the U.S. Open, but at the start of the year I thought playing Walker Cup was a good target to have so I then played as much amateur stuff as I could to try to get in the team.”
Reflecting on the conclusion to his amateur career in what was a special week in California, Gregory – who was the only undefeated Briton or Irishman on the final day – cannot help but smile.
“It was definitely worth waiting and playing in the Walker Cup,” he said. “Getting to play it in Los Angeles probably helps make it even better but it was just an incredible tournament, so well run, and even though we got an absolute whooping it was great fun and I managed to play some good golf myself.
“I was really happy with being able to play some really good shots under a lot of pressure in that environment. That helped make me feel I was ready to take the step up to professional ranks.
“Even compared to the Majors, it’s probably the biggest crowd I’ve played in front of, because you’ve got all those people and they’re only watching three or four matches – it’s an unreal feeling and a very special week.”
Gregory will hope to celebrate his 23rd birthday on Sunday, the final day of the tournament, with a good result – or even the trophy.
“I think I’m good enough to contend this week, but there’s plenty of other guys out here who will be thinking the same,” he said. “I’ve got to go out there and stick to my game plan, shoot the best score I can and just see where it takes me.
“I like the course. There’s a couple of funky holes on the back nine, but I think you need to stick to the way you’re going to play, because everyone’s going to play them differently. I’m just going to try to do my best.”
