Sugrue clinches HotelPlanner Tour card for 2026 after impressive finish in Abu Dhabi

The Mallow golfer fired a closing 65 to seal a sixth-place finish at the Clutch Pro Tour Championship and seal promotion to the second tier of European golf

MOVING ON UP: James Sugrue in action in Mallow Golf Club during the Mallow Scratch Cup. Picture: Niall O'Shea

James Sugrue signed off on his season in fine style in Abu Dhabi as the Cork golfer secured promotion to the HotelPlanner Tour for 2026. 

Matching Wednesday's five-under 65 on Thursday at the end-of-season Clutch Pro Tour Championship at the Al Ain Golf Club, Sugrue finished in a tie for sixth overall which was enough to secure a top-three finish in the development tour's Order of Merit. 

As a result, the Mallow club man earns a full card on the HP Tour, formerly known as the European Challenge Tour, for next season. 

Having opened with a 70 on Tuesday, Sugrue's impressive second and third rounds left him on 10-under overall and earned him €3000 in prizemoney but the ticket to European golf's second tier is much more valuable. 

There was further Irish joy in Al Ain as Sugrue's compatriot Mark Power clinched the Tour Championship title with a closing 63 leaving the Mount Juliet man on 16-under, sealing a two-shot victory over Alex Maguire. 

Having travelled some hard roads since winning the Amateur Championship in 2019 and turning professional the following year, the 26-year-old Sugrue has turned in an impressively consistent campaign in 2025. He played in 19 Clutch Pro Tour events in total, missing the cut just three times and securing five top-five finishes. Thursday's sixth-place may have been the sweetest of all.