SAM LOCKE TURNS PRO INSTEAD OF DEFENDING

SCOTTISH AMATEUR TITLE AT BLAIRGOWRIE 

PAUL LAWRIE FOUNDATION NEWS RELEASE

Fresh from winning the Amateur Silver Medal at the 147^th Open Championship at Carnoustie, 19- year-old Sam Locke from Stonehaven has taken the decision to turn professional with immediate effect.

Locke said:

“The decision to move in to the professional ranks is always something I’ve wanted to do.  It’s been a genuine goal of mine to play golf for a living for some time now.  
"My dad, Andrew, who caddied for me at Carnoustie,  is a PGA teaching professional at the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre and obviously I have close ties to Paul Lawrie, so have an understanding of what it takes to be successful in the pro game”.

“My experiences over the last week or so, since I won the Open qualifier at Renaissance and throughout last week have allowed me to see things from a different perspective.”

Sam, a product of the Paul Lawrie Foundation, is the current Scottish amateur champion and had been set to defend his title at Blairgowrie next week but his decision to go down the professional route will mean that he’s now turning his attention to his debut in a professional golf event over the coming weeks instead.

By winning the Silver Medal, Sam joins an illustrious club of past winners, including the likes of Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia.

Speaking about Sam’s decision, Paul Lawrie said :

“Winning the Silver Medal was hugely impressive and whilst this is just the beginning of the journey for Sam I certainly think he’s ready to make the transition and I’ll be on-hand to give him any advice he feels he may need along the way.”
+The Final Stage of the European Tour Qualifying School will be played at Lumine Beach, Tarragona in Spain from November 10 to 15.