Mallow's James Sugrue looking to put frustrations and false starts behind him

Former British Amateur champions frustrated by injuries and geopolitics looking to kickstart his tour career in Italy

Wed, 06 May, 2026 - 16:44

Simon Lewis

James Sugrue finally gets to put his HotelPlanner Tour card to good use Thursday when he kickstarts his season on the second-tier circuit at the Italian Challenge Open at Golf Nazionale.

The 29-year-old former British Amateur champion from Mallow, Co. Cork, has had a frustrating time, to say the least, since turning professional in 2021. A serious of injuries, including a broken ankle and back issues, meant Sugrue’s first genuine season without issues was 2025 and it showed as he earned his card via the third-level Clutch Tour.

Yet where injuries had once been the stumbling block, geopolitics took over at the outset of his 2026 campaign, with scheduled events in the Middle East postponed due to air strikes across the region. Sugrue managed just one start, in South Africa in January before the HotelPlanner Tour went on hiatus and this week represents his first opportunity since to get back on the road, at the first European venue on the 2026 Road to Mallorca.

“I’m in great form and looking forward to getting the season started,” Sugrue said. “It's been a bit stop-start so far with the war, I played one event in South Africa in February and so this is a bit of a restart in Italy, at Golf Nazionale.

“It's a grand track. I've played it a few times before, so looking forward to getting going now. I've been practicing hard and working hard, so hopefully it'll be a good year.”

The Cork man spent his enforced down time keeping busy, working with swing coach Michael Collins in Mallow, undertaking a practice week in Florida and availing of Golf Ireland’s support by playing rounds at Carton House as well as at Doonbeg and Fota Island.

“Obviously, the war and whatever isn't ideal but it's not just me that’s been affected. Everyone's in the same boat. So I didn’t dwell on it too much, just got busy every day. Golfing, a bit of gym work in the morning and golfing then straight after.

“If it's not with Michael, I'm just working on my own. I have my own checklist to go through every day from him. So, it's I kept busy and that's the most important thing.”

Sugrue flew into Rome last Monday feeling this is the true beginning of his life as a touring pro.

“I've been waiting for this, to have a full card since I turned pro. So it's exciting and I'm going to grab the bull by the horns and try as hard as I can, work as hard as I can and see where it takes me.”