David Law heads to Turkey as steep learning curve continues

TOM Lewis may have made a spectacular start to his professional career but David Law, the double Scottish champion, insists most leading amateurs must expect a “few tough years” to help them find their feet in the paid ranks.

While Englishman Lewis has already secured his place at the top table in European golf after winning the Portugal Masters, Law and fellow Scots James Byrne and Michael Stewart are having to start further down the ladder. The talented trio all failed to get beyond the first stage of the European Tour Qualifying School and, in the case of Law, it has meant he’ll be cutting his teeth as a professional on the third-tier EPD Tour.

He’s off to Turkey later this week for three events and is aiming to make the most of his experiences this season to help him learn his trade as a tournament player. “I don’t think anyone expected any of us [Stewart, Byrne and himself] to set the world on fire straight away,” said the 20-year-old Aberdonian, who last year followed up a second Scottish Amateur title triumph in three years by becoming the first amateur to win the Northern Open since 1970.

“It doesn’t happen overnight and I don’t think anybody expected what Tom Lewis did. There’s going to be a few tough years ahead, but it’s better to do it now when I’m 20 and I can learn quickly. Even if I don’t play as well as I’d like this next season or two seasons, I think it’s better to learn now to travel and to be playing for myself. Hopefully by the time I am 23 or 24 I’ll be ready.”

While Law’s main goal is to join Lewis on the main circuit, he’s happy to take it one step at a time, which means his first target is to be playing on the Challenge Tour next season.

He is hoping to secure up to eight starts on the second-tier circuit this season, including the Scottish Hydro Challenge at Spey Valley, and hopes to have built up a bit of momentum by the time that comes round in June.

And if he needs advice, Law can also speak to Paul Lawrie, having been a product of the former Open champion’s successful Foundation programme in the North-East. The duo are now part of the same management stable and, thanks to Lawrie’s influence, Law has managed to secure some decent sponsorship.