Oliver Farr Life on Tour

Earlier this season we introduced you to Oliver Farr, who is in his first season on the European Tour. This is our latest update on his progress...

WHEN Oliver Farr qualified for the European Tour this season he said that he was living the dream. After a series of struggles to reach the weekend and with just 91,000 euros in earnings to his name, you might expect that dream to have become something of a nightmare.

Not for Farr. He is still having the time of his life. "I am really lucky to be out here," he said as he prepared to fly out to play in the Made In Denmark (yes, that really is the name of the tournament).

"My game has not been great for much of this season. Every year I expect to have at least two or three really good weeks and, to be honest, it just hasn't happened this year."

That comes as a surprise, especially since his best performance of the season came at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, where he earned more than half of his prize money.

Like many other players on the European Tour, he hasn't played competitively since the Nordea Masters at the end of July, where he missed the cut despite a 36-hole total of 143.  Some may see that as a problem. Not Farr. "It has been great to have a bit of a break," he said. "I have used the time away from the tour to work hard on my game with my father, who is also my coach, and now I can't wait to get back into action.

"I am now playing for five successive weeks, and there are still plenty of big tournaments left to play. There is no panic about my tour card, although I am well aware that I need to get to about 250,000 euros in order to keep my playing privileges for 2016. However, I don't just want to scrape through - I want to keep my card comfortably.

"It only takes one good week to turn everything around and that can happen at any time. I am confident that it will come right and am not thinking about the alternative."

Farr is a positive character who refuses to countenance the prospect of failing to achieve his goals. Many first-year professionals become obsessed with the amount of money they need to earn to stay on tour. Farr is refreshingly different and for that eason it would be a surprise if he fails to find the performances he needs to keep his card.

"Most of the courses I am playing are new to me," he said. "So I can't really sit down, look at my schedule and point to a venue or a tournament where I would expect to do well. In saying that, I am looking forward to the Portuguese Masters and to the Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns.

"I have been really lucky. I enjoy what I do, and Bridgestone Tyres, who are one of my main sponsors, have been really supportive and have indicated that they will stick with me next year. I am looking forward to what lies ahead."

Watch this space - we will keep you posted on his progress.

For more information & past features on Oliver visit here >>>