Cork golfer James Sugrue’s roll of the dice paying off after years of setbacks
James Sugrue earned a Hotel Planner Tour card by finishing third on the Clutch Pro Tour order of merit. Pic: Andy Crook / Clutch Pro Tour
James Sugrue had a “sweaty hour” watching the leaderboard on Thursday. The desert heat of Abu Dhabi didn’t help. A year’s work had come down to what others could do in the closing holes of the Clutch Pro Tour Championship. The Cork native went into the last event of the season ranked third on the order of merit with three Hotel Planner Tour cards up for grabs.
He’d given himself a strong chance of gaining promotion to the second tier of European golf but then had a disappointing level par opening round at the Al Ain club. The perspiration started. Bogey-free second and third rounds got him to 10-under, wiping much of it from his brow. It was enough to tie for sixth in a tournament won by Kilkenny man Mark Power, and sufficient to take that step up the ladder.
“It's life changing,” says the 28-year-old from Mallow. "[The Hotel Planner Tour] is obviously a pathway to DP World Tour and to have a full season on that would just mean everything.”
It’s six-and-a-half years since Sugrue blipped large on the golf radar when he won the Amateur Championship at Portmarnock. Appearances at the Open, US Open, and the Masters followed, as did turning pro in 2021. His career found the rough since.
“The first year I turned pro, playing off invites isn't ideal because you're chopping and changing - you don't really have a steady job as such,” he explains.
“Prior to this year, I was out for 18 months due to injury. This is my first full season in three years. I injured my back and I was playing my first tournament back, and I fell down the stairs of the apartment and broke my ankle.
“It was tough, especially when you're seeing the other Irish lads out there, and you know you're good enough to be there. It came at a bad time, just as I was getting my bearings in professional golf.”
This season has been one of consistency. He recorded five top-five finishes on a tour which is a gamble on your ability as a golfer.
“I don't really have any sponsors, found it very expensive this year,” says Sugrue. “You can't make money on these tours. I'm third in the order of merit - I would be high up in earnings on this tour this year - and even for me, there’s a lot more going out than coming in.
“In the last two weeks [before the Tour Championship], I won 10 grand. That's really kept me going. I believe I'm good enough to do it. I think it's worth the roll of the dice.”
Being able to take that gamble comes down to the support of those around him: his parents, his girlfriend, and his coaches Michael Collins and Gordon Smyth.
“Without them, I'd be goosed,” he says about his parents. “I see some guys over here, their parents are pushy and they ring them after every round and this craic. My mom and dad would just be like, 'go out and enjoy it. Do your best'. They're just how I'd like to be a parent when I grow up.”
It also helps that there are numerous other Irish players on tour. In all, nine started the Tour Championship.
“We're great to stick together,” says Sugrue. “We'd always go for food together, share cars and hotel rooms. I don't know, is it an Irish thing, but we all just get on.
“We look out for each other as well. Some of the best friends I have, I've made through golf.”
The grind required to make it at this level means it isn’t for everyone. It takes faith, funding, and no small amount of luck.
“I wouldn't be here if I didn't like it,” says Sugrue.
“I'm doing this for no one, only myself. I believe in myself, that I'm good enough to compete and win and make a living.
“There's plenty of other jobs that I could do, but I don't want to because this is my job, and I want this to be my job forever.”
After all those setbacks, Sugrue has earned the right to keep dreaming.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
