It’s another golden opportunity for the West Waterford man to make the field for next month’s PGA Championship at Valhalla, though he can also book his ticket to Louisville if he breaks back into the top 100 after next week’s Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow.
The Tooraneena man (37), down to 110th in the world following a year wracked by injury, has every reason to be optimistic after showing signs he’s close to full fitness again. He clinched a season’s best tie for 12th in the RBC Heritage two weeks ago and after finishing in the top 20 in his last three starts in Dallas, carding 11 straight rounds in the sixties to be 50-under par for his last 12 rounds, he has every reason to feel optimistic.
He’s already up to 70th in the FedEx Cup standings midway through the season and on track to make the top 70 who qualify for the play-offs. But one wonders where he might be now had he not received €60,000 from the Team Ireland Golf Trust – now known as the Golf Ireland Professional Scheme – between 2011 and 2016.
Power was battling on the mini tours until he won his PGA Tour card in 2016, and not only does he now have two PGA Tour wins to his credit, he took his career earnings beyond the $12 million mark at Hilton Head two weeks ago.
Who knows what the future holds for the 10 golfers who yesterday received grants worth more than €325,000 from the 2024 Golf Ireland Professional Scheme?
But it’s clear that the €33,000 each will receive is crucial to their survival on professional tours that are becoming increasingly competitive.
Conor Purcell, Lauren Walsh, and Mark Power were at the Golf Ireland HQ at Carton House yesterday for the official launch of the 2024 grant scheme, which has also rewarded Olivia Mehaffey, Gary Hurley, Dermot McElroy, Ronan Mullarney, Conor O’Rourke, John Murphy and Alex Maguire.
“We are all grateful for the support we receive from the Golf Ireland Professional Scheme,” said Purcell, who is 17th in the Road to Mallorca rankings on the Challenge Tour and on course to win one of 20 DP World Tour cards. “This not only acknowledges the dedication we put into improving our game but also helps to equip us for the global circuit.”
The scheme is funded by Sport Ireland with additional help from Sport NI.
Holywood’s Tom McKibbin (21) received €25,000 from the scheme in 2022 and went on to win his maiden title on the DP World Tour the following season.
Ranked 20th in the Race to Dubai, he’s on course to win one of 10 PGA Tour cards for next season and has another chance to improve his position in this week’s Volvo China Open in Shenzen.
Volvo China Open, 6am CJ Cup Byron Nelson, 12.45pm (Both live on Sky Sports Golf)