Dubai: Scotland’s Calum Hill is keeping former Challenge Tour Champion Jordan Smith as his inspiration heading into next week’s finale to be held at the Al Hamra Golf Club.
Hill will be among the top 45 players on the Road to Ras Al Khaimah converging at the Al Hamra Golf Club from Wednesday [October 31] to Saturday [November 3] to contest the Challenge Tour’s season-finale.
The top 15 players on the Rankings following the conclusion of play will be awarded European Tour cards for the 2019 season, meaning they will follow the path of the likes of World No. 1 Brooks Koepka and European Ryder Cup stars Tommy Fleetwood, Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose, Ian Poulter, Tyrrell Hatton, Thorbjorn Olesen and Alex Noren who all started their careers on the Challenge Tour.
“I feel Jordan [Smith] is a good example of what needs to be done,” Hill told the media at Emirates Golf Club (EGC) on Thursday.
“In my mind there is no doubt that the Challenge Tour is a great stepping stone to bigger and better things. And if one just looks at the guys that have come through and gone on to big things, then Jordan is among the foremost examples,” he added.
Earlier this year, Hill qualified for his first-ever Major at the 118th US Open at Shinnecock Hills on Long Island. By his own admittance, Hill felt his tenure at the Western New Mexico University — where he graduated earlier this year with an MBA in Business Administration — helped him tremendously in doctoring his career in golf. During 2017, Hill picked up three professional titles, the biggest one being the San Juan Open while joining the likes of compatriots Martin Laird and Jimmy Gunn.
However, Hill has a huge mountain to climb next week as he lies 31st on the overall Rankings. “Nothing comes easy,” he said.
To make the cut on the main European Tour for next season, Hill will have to either win or finish alone in second place. “Hard work has never gone waste. I feel coming early here can go a long way in getting me acclimatised to this place, and if I can handle the pressure I feel confident I can make that move upwards,” the 23-year-old added.