John Gough has sights set on DP World Tour card as he makes pro debut

John Gough made his professional debut at the Irish Open on the DP World Tour.

We caught up with Walker Cup star John Gough as he made his professional golf debut on the DP World Tour at the Irish Open.

It sounds like something of a paradox but, for a man who has displayed admirable patience in recent years, Gough is now a man in a hurry.

On the one hand, the Englishman turned professional ahead of this week’s Irish Open at the ripe old age of 25 which is practically ancient compared to modern trends.

On the other, he has what remains of the 2023 DP World Tour season to earn enough points, via invitations, to gain a card for next year and maintain what has been an impressive rise in the sport.

The delay in his transition was no mere accident, however. True, he went to Q School last year, but failure to gain a card was no disaster because the Berkshire-based performer accepted that another year on the amateur circuit would help his growth and he was also eyeing a historical and personal prize with which to bring down the curtain on the first stage of his career.

That, of course, was participation in last week’s 100th anniversary of the Walker Cup in St Andrews, a thrilling contest in which GB&I threatened to take down a mighty American team that many across the Atlantic had boasted was the greatest-ever.

As expected, the auld grey toun was alive with golfing magic, justifying Gough’s determination to see out the summer, and, with selection, he also ensured that his younger brother Conor, who played in the 2019 match, no longer had the family bragging rights.

“We didn’t get the result we wanted but everything else was amazing,” Gough said ahead of his Irish Open debut and after chuckling about neutralizing sibling rivalry. “The atmosphere was crazy and I’m not sure it would be matched outside a Ryder Cup.

“Walking from the 17th tee in my singles match, I looked back down 16, 15 and across the course and I couldn’t see grass because there were people everywhere. It was very cool.

“I don’t think there was anywhere better to say goodbye than playing in the pinnacle of the amateur game at the home of golf.”

He bids farewell having proved himself a prolific winner around the world. He was a two-time winner in America in 2021, added prestigious victories in Spain, Ireland and Australia, was the English Men’s Amateur Championship in 2021 and a particularly fine champion in last year’s Lytham Trophy.

His final competitive action saw him take on the World No.1 Gordon Sargent in Sunday’s singles and the pair went toe-to-toe throughout.

“It was the match I had wanted all week,” Gough said. “I know what he’s achieved and he knew what I had done. We had a nice little chat before the round and there was mutual respect.”

An errant tee shot from the 17th tee cost Gough the match but he won the viral war when holing his approach to the par-four sixth.

“I didn’t actually see it go in,” Gough admitted. “But I knew it had gone in from the reaction around me. When I watched the video for the first time I had no idea I was jumping around and screaming. I was totally caught up in the moment.

“An American friend sent me a video of him watching and at first he was mocking me, then the ball went in the hole and he totally lost it. I’ve had people in Ireland telling me all about seeing it. It’s pretty cool to know that it’s gone round the world.”

Leaving the 18th green he was feeling low after personal and team defeat but later in the day perked up when news came through that he had received an invitation to kickstart his professional career at The K Club this week.

Because Gough might be English but his chatty nature drops a big hint about his pedigree.

“Oh yeah, I can talk a lot,” he laughed. “You can tell that I’ve got Irish parents.”

Moreover, one side of the family is local.

“Dad hails from about 35 minutes away and my uncle lives close by. Everyone coming to watch me can stay at home and there will be plenty of them here. It’s a real honor to be given this opportunity by the Irish Open.”

As he proved in St Andrews, Gough shares passion and determination with his ancestors, and when those qualities are allied to his patient and thoughtful manner it’s a potent combination.

Ahead of playing on another invitation in July’s British Masters, he said: “In my college years I was always a steady golfer but my first two victories had a huge impact on my self-confidence and self-belief. Knowing that I had won and that every shot did not need to be perfect was a big help. It should bode well heading into the pro ranks.”

After 36 holes at The Belfry, he was one shot off the lead before finishing T39th. Two months later, he has again been reflecting on what that experience has taught him.

“I love winning and it’s been the aim for the last few years. It sounds weird, but I’m also looking forward to digging in again because I know that finishing 20th instead of 40th could be a season decider. It’s important to stay switched on.”

He’s also not shy about being bold in his hopes.

“I want to build on The Belfry performance. I don’t have status but the next few weeks are going to be very exciting. A win would be perfect and I think I can aim that high after what I did there.”

Part one of his career is complete, part two is about to start and Gough is excited about what lies ahead. “My game is in good shape,” he said. “I don’t feel out of place here. I feel ready.”

READ NEXT
– Who’s playing in the BMW PGA at Wentworth
– DP World Tour reveals 2024 schedule

About the author

Matt Cooper – Contributing Writer

Matt Cooper has been a golf journalist for 15 years. He’s worked for, among others, Golf365, SkySports, ESPN, NBC, Sporting Life, Open.com and the Guardian. He specializes in feature writing, reporting and tournament analysis.

He’s traveled widely in that time, covering golf from Kazakhstan to South Korea via Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

More straightforwardly, he’s also covered numerous Majors, Ryder Cups and Solheim Cups.

Follow Matt on Twitter.