Last year’s runner-up Ewen Ferguson is determined to make the most of this week’s opportunity as the European Tour and Challenge Tour seasons continue in Austria with the dual-ranked Euram Bank Open.
The Scotsman was runner-up to compatriot Calum Hill last year at GC Adamstal after a six under par final round of 64 in the Austrian Alps, carding just four bogeys and one double bogey across the four days in Ramsau.
Having witnessed Marc Warren’s success last week at the Austrian Open, and Hill’s victory at this event in 2019, Ferguson doesn’t need any motivation as he looks to go one better this year.
“There’s a lot of good players right now in Scotland,” said Ferguson. “There’s loads of guys coming through. I think Marc was motivated by not doing well last year and he spent time getting on top of his game. With the youngsters coming through, I think it’s a kick up the backside for the older guys and even they are pushing on now.
“You look at leaderboards now and there seems to be a lot of Scots kicking around. It’s good for us, even small things like when you’re having lunch, you can chat to friends you’ve known for years. It makes it homely and a little easier being on the road – you can bat ideas around and inspire each other.”
For inspiration, Ferguson needs to look no further than close friend Robert MacIntyre, who graduated from the Challenge Tour in 2018 and won the 2019 Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Trophy on the European Tour.
“I played a practice round yesterday and was messaging Bob,” added Ferguson. “He was asking how I was and how the course is over here, and I asked him what he was up to in the States. He said he was preparing for the US PGA Championship. He was only here a couple of years ago, it’s amazing how the Challenge Tour can provide these playing opportunities and what they can lead on to in the future."
“If you come off here and do well, the sky is the limit as we’ve seen not just with Bob but quite a few others. It’s great seeing the other guys doing well. You know with golf it takes just one shot or one result and everything changes your way. It’s about being in the right place at the right time and taking advantage of your opportunities.
“I’ve got some of those coming up now, so I’m going to try and take full advantage of them.”
The Euram Bank Open starts tomorrow at GC Adamstal, with the final round being played on Saturday.
