EUAN WALKER TURNS PRO AND JOINS BOUNCE SPORT STABLE

Walker Cup player Euan Walker has joined Bounce Sport after turning professional in the wake of his Great Britain and Ireland appearance at Royal Liverpool.

The 24-year-old starts his new career in the paid ranks with an exciting opportunity, having secured an invitation for this week's KLM Open on the European Tour.

Euan, the world amateur No 13, joins Stephen Gallacher, Bob MacIntyre, Grant Forrest and Jack McDonald on the list of Walker Cup players at Bounce Sport.

"From the moment I met the guys at Bounce, I kind of knew they were going to provide everything that I really needed and so far it is exceptional what they have been able to do for me," said Euan, winner of the African Amateur Championship this year and also runner-up in both the Amateur Championship and European Amateur Championship.

"The experience they have is amazing and I think the success other players in the stable are having at the moment, with Bob, of course, finishing second again on Sunday, is testament to that.”

"They alleviate all the additional things, like travelling, that come with playing professional golf and take care of any concerns you might have as you start out, leaving you to concentrate on playing golf.”

"I feel as though I achieved pretty much all the goals I had set out in amateur golf by winning an elite amateur event, playing in a Walker Cup and also getting into the top 10 in world rankings. I feel that now is the right time for me to try and play professional golf on the back of those accomplishments."

Euan, who had a spell at the University of Missouri, joins Grant Forrest and Liam Johnston in the KLM Open field at The International, where the line up is headed by former Masters Champions Patrick Reed and Sergio Garcia.

"It is pretty crazy and I don't think I am going to believe I'll be playing in a European Tour event as a professional until I get out there," he added.

"I don't feel there is any great pressure on me to perform well this week or in any other event I might play on an invite, though I will obviously be aiming to do that.”

"But, as an acclimatisation period, it will be crucial to gain some experience so that when I go to Q School or in my first full season as a pro I know what it is all about.”
                                                                                                                                                               
"I'll be aiming to do exactly the same things that have enabled the other young Scottish guys to enjoy some success over the last couple of years. I think the level of amateur golf I have played shows you have the quality to compete in the pro game.”

"A big part of playing in the paid ranks is trying to deal with other commitments you might have and, having spoken to some of the other lads, it's great to know that Bounce take care of that."

Iain Stoddart, Bounce Sport's founding partner, is delighted Euan has joined Bounce, and is looking forward to watching him progress over the coming years. “It’s an exciting time with all the players performing so well and Euan’s talent and success fits in superbly with all of the other guys we work with.”

"We are delighted to take up what we see as a responsibility in Euan joining us as he embarks on his professional career and work with him as he looks to climb the ladder in world golf,” added Stoddart.