Brooks Koepka is the latest in a run of players from the USA to have made an impression on the European Challenge Tour after a tied seventh place finish at the English Challenge last week, and the 22 year old believes it is a trend which will only grow in the coming years.
Former US Amateur Champion Peter Uilhlein is among the Americans to have begun plying their trade on the Challenge Tour this year, while Scott Pinckney has made several Challenge Tour appearances having gained a European Tour card at the Qualifying School Final Stage last December.
Trent Leon was also in the field at the English Challenge last week, as was American-based Korean Byeong-hun An, and Koepka believes the Challenge Tour offers young up and coming players something they cannot get anywhere else.
“It’s awesome over here,” said the Floridian, who played in the US Open Championship as an amateur last month before opting to begin his professional career on the Challenge Tour. “I love it. I'm trying to keep playing over here on the Challenge Tour and hopefully after the good week last week I can get a couple more good finishes.
“I know Peter (Uihlein) and Scott (Pinckney) really well so it’s fun to get to see them. I played against them in college and to come over here and see them is nice.
“I think you’re going to see more and more Americans come over here over time. Especially with the changes they’re doing with Qualifying School in the USA, more guys will come over.
“It’s a great learning experience over here too. I think it makes you more well-rounded and a more complete player.
“The travelling is really fun. I've played badly in the wind once, but it is different over here so there are a few adjustments you need. There are a lot of good players out here and you have to play well so I’m looking forward to pushing on.”
