Thomas Detry hopes to continue his rich vein into the 2020 English Championship after he narrowly missed out on claiming his maiden European Tour title last week.
The Belgian was top of the leaderboard as he stood on the 18th tee on Sunday in the Hero Open at Forest of Arden Marriott Hotel & Country Club, but a closing bogey left the door ajar for long time leader Sam Horsfield and it was the 23-year-old who went on to claim his first European Tour title with a birdie on the 17th.
Detry was philosophical after his second place in Birmingham but he aims to continue posting strong displays which has aided him to his current fourth place in the six week UK Swing Order of Merit standings.
The top ten after the sixth and final event are set to share £250,000 to donate to charity as part of the European Tour’s #GolfForGood initiative. And there is a further incentive, with the leading ten places not otherwise exempt after the fifth event set to secure placed at the U.S. Open at Winged Foot.
"It’s good, I think I’m lying in fourth right now (on the UK Swing Order of Merit). I want to secure that top ten," Detry said.
"I’m not going to try and play defensively, I’m going to keep giving myself chances to win. Last week was an amazing week, the golf course was fantastic.
"I played some really good golf, Sam Horsfield just played slightly better – he deserved the win. My game feels great and I’m very confident for the following weeks.
Next Up! #EnglishChampionship 🇬🇧 My thoughts on last week are available 👉🏼 https://t.co/h7sevYcJ27 pic.twitter.com/XIqsp9hyh0
— Thomas Detry (@tomdetry) August 5, 2020
"It’s very close, the only thing I’m trying to do is make sure that’s not in my head – that I’ve never won. I’ve been out here for four years now, I’ve acquired a bit of experience. I’m trying to use that.
"It’s not always easy – it’s tough to win out here. But I’m staying patient and really working on that, it will come."
The 27-year-old hopes he can accomplish his goal of a maiden appearance at a Major Championship at the event in Mamaroneck, New York.
"It would mean a lot (to play at the US Open)," Detry added. I don’t know if there’s going to be spectators or not, but it doesn’t matter. I’ve never played a Major. It was a goal for me last year.
"Getting to one this year would be phenomenal and playing the US Open at Winged Foot – where Geoff Ogilvy won - would be fantastic."
Rising Danish star Rasmus Højgaard has returned after the coronavirus enforced break in superb form after backing up his second placed finish at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Lee Westwood with a tie for sixth at the Forest of Arden Marriott Hotel & Country Club.
The 19-year-old has has already shown winning form this season, triumphing at the AFRASIA BANK Mauritius Open in December, and sits in third in the UK Swing Order of Merit standings.
The goal of his first Major appearance at the U.S. Open is also driving the youngster, who is enjoying the UK Swing format, forward.
"It’s very nice (playing in the UK Swing). We just jump in the car and an hour and 30 minutes later we’re at the next event. I really enjoy it," Højgaard said.
"We’ve got the bubble right now, which can be a little hard sometimes when you’re on your own for so long but it’s just how it is right now. It’s fine for me. I’m just happy to be back playing.
"It would be another checked off goal (qualifying for the U.S. Open), if you can call it that. It’s not something I’ve been thinking about. It’s just a bonus if it happens. I’m just focused on playing well and that will take care of it.
"I still dream. Winning Majors is a dream, of course, but it’s still a goal at the same time. Right now, it’s more a dream than it is a goal.
"I have to be a lot better and develop my game a lot more to be more consistent and over time, perform well. It’s a bit of both but it’s definitely a goal in future."
