Connor

Syme

The 26-year-old Syme, still chasing his maiden title, made six birdies Sunday in a 2-over 70 at The Belfry, finishing T-3 at 8-under 280. “It was so much fun to be honest,” said Syme, who made three straight birdies on Nos. 15-17 to move into contention. “Yeah, that’s what you practice for, to be honest, moments like that. Obviously was really trying my best to win the tournament. …I still felt like I had a good chance to win if I could salvage it, maybe an eagle or two coming in. Wasn’t to be, but I gave it everything towards the end. It was good fun.” Syme had missed the cut in his last two appearances at the British Masters, in 2021 and 2020, and had finished T-42 in 2019. On the season, Syme has made seven cuts in 10 starts with two top 10s, including a T-6 at the Ras al Khaimah Classic. He’s in the field for this week’s Soudal Open in Rinkven International GC in Antwerp, Belgium. He missed the cut in his only previous appearance at the event in 2018, when it was called the Belgian Knockout (WD in 2019).

The 26-year-old Syme carded four rounds in the 60s in his last start, in the UAE, and he’s made three cuts in four starts this season. In three previous appearances at the Kenya Open, He finished solo third in 2021 and T-35 in 2019. He missed the cut in 2018 when it was a stop on the Challenge Tour. Last season, Syme made 11 cuts in 24 DP World Tour starts, with two top 10s. He has one Challenge Tour win on his resume, capturing the 2019 Turkish Airlines Challenge in a playoff over Francesco Laporta, making birdie on the first extra hole at the season-opening event and ultimately securing his return to the European Tour by finishing 12th on the Road to Mallorca rankings.

The 26-year-old Syme said he’s comfortable at the Torrance Course at Fairmont St. Andrews, which is serving as an event venue on the European Tour for just the second time after making its debut last year as the site of the Scottish Championship. “I’ve played there a lot,” said Syme, who finished T-37 in 2020. “I’ve had the chance to go up and I’ve had a good amount of preparation around there -- the guys have looked after me in the recent weeks and I almost feel like a member myself. … It’s brilliant to have fans back out, and the ones in the U.K have the best reputation for their understanding of the game, so hopefully they’re out in good support for the local guys.” On the season, Syme has made nine cuts in 15 starts with two top 10s: a solo third at the Magical Kenya Open and T-5 at the Gran Canaria Lopesan Open. He’s seen weekend action in his last four starts, finishing T-32 last week at the ISPS Handa World Invitational.

The Scot went 12-for-26 during his 2018 rookie campaign with just one top 10 that year (runner-up finish at the 2018 Shot Clock Masters). Syme found himself in contention at a much higher rate in 2020, collecting seven top 10s in 23 events played. That included a T3 at the Celtic Classic and a T4 at the Austrian Open. How did Syme get the job done? It was a well-rounded effort. He finished 16th in strokes gained off-the-tee, 58th in approach, and 69th in putting. The 25-year-old is a name to watch closely as a breakout candidate over the next few years. For the short-term, he’ll be reserved as a solid DFS option in European Tour events.

The Scot failed to keep his card on his first venture to the European Tour in 2018, despite finishing second at the Shotclock Masters. However, a year on the Challenge Tour rebuilt his confidence and now he’s started the 2020 season in style with T11 at the Alfred Dunhill Championship, an 11th top 20 of the calendar year. Five of those were top tens, including one CT win, and he can add to that tally after a fine start here. He missed the cut in 2017 at this course, but has never been threatened with such problems this time around, although he did have a few worries after opening with bogeys at the first and third. He settled down with three birdies in a row from the fifth, dropped a shot at the tenth and then ticked the 11th, 13th, 14th 15th, 16th and 18th on the way home. He’ll started the weekend two swings back of the leader (and his compatriot) Calum Hll.

Let’s open with the good stuff. Firstly, the Scot won the 2016 Australian Amateur Championship so has had some happy times Down Under. Secondly, he showed he could do well under different conditions when finishing runner-up at last year’s Shot Clock Masters in Belgium. That result wasn’t enough for Syme to keep his card (finished 126th on the Race to Dubai) and he hasn’t managed to play all four rounds yet in three starts in the current campaign. At least the best of those was last week in Australia when he opened 71-67 at the ISPS Handa Vic Open before a 73 in tough weather conditions saw him miss the second cut of top 25 and ties and finish T49. Syme shot 76-71 to crash out after 36 holes in this event last year.

The Scottish rookie has gone a little flat over the last few months with a run of 50-MC-MC-57 leaving him 117th on the Race to Dubai and outside the all-important top 110. An opening 69 at the KLM Open last Thursday suggested brighter things but his scores got higher each day. Syme can certainly take heart from his performance at this venue last year when he ranked 1st for both Greens In Regulation and Scrambling. His stats this season don’t make pretty reading but second place at the Shot Clock Masters showed his potential and he could prove a worthwhile cheap option this week.

It’s been a season of promise for the Scottish rookie and yet, despite some genuine highlights, he cannot rest on his laurels as he rests at 107th on the Race to Dubai. His T2 in the Shotclock Masters was of only of limited help in securing his card in these Rolex Series influenced times. His recent form is hinting at good things to come. He was T32 in the Scottish Open, ranking ninth for All-Round; T22 in the European Open when 8th for Total Putting; and T21 last week in the Nordea Masters when second for Ball-Striking. If he can combine it all he could be a compelling force.

A couple of missed cuts at the Made In Denmark and European Masters have seen the Scottish rookie fall outside the top 110 so he has work to do to secure playing privileges for next season. The Shot Clock Masters runner-up did at least close with 66 in the Swiss Alps last week so that could give him some momentum. At the end of July and start of August, Syme posted back-to-back top 25s at the European Open and Nordea Masters so he’s certainly capable of making a mark in a modest field like this.

What a performance. The Scot was in big danger of missing the cut after an opening 1-over 71 but now he’s in position to bank a big cheque on the weekend if he keeps this going. He burst from the gate with birdies at 1, 2 and 3 before adding further par breakers at 5, 8 and 9 to turn in just 29. On Gullane’s tougher second nine he held firm with seven pars and a birdie at 11 and beat the previous mark of 63 with a walk-off circle at 18. Syme, the World No. 352, gave his season a jolt in the arm with second place at last month’s Shot Clock Masters. He also has some extra local knowledge this week having played the Scottish Amateur Strokeplay at Gullane in 2016, finishing fifth.