European Tour adventure looking good for John Catlin

America's John Catlin on the 16th. Picture: INPHO/Tommy Dickson

John Catlin’s European adventure has already paid dividends following the American’s recent victory at Valderrama, but his current form around Galgorm Castle suggests he could go home with more serious prize money.

Catlin, 29, is a happy wanderer, content to have only played four PGA Tour events in his homeland and play the Asian Tour, where he has won three times. His form there was such that he earned a European Tour card and that decision to continue his golfing version of a backpacking round-the-world trip has been vindicated, particularly since the restart from Covid-19 lockdown. His Andalucia Masters win three weeks ago saw the Californian take down Martin Kaymer by one shot after a final-round duel and his start to this week’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open indicates he is in the mood to cash in some more.