Callum Shinkwin Player Profile And What's In The Bag

BIG-HITTING Englishman Callum Shinkwin claimed a four-shot victory over Scotland's Connor Syme at the Cazoo Open at Celtic Manor.

It was his second DP World Tour success but his first, in 2020, was when there were no crowds because of the pandemic. This was different.

Shinkwin said: "I feel great, even though I had a few shots of a lead heading into the back nine it’s still not easy, especially when Connor then made a charge. 

“There were no crowds in Cyprus and I was behind going into the final round then shot a great score and won in the play-off. 

"Here I was in the lead heading into the final round and obviously it went very tight, then a big gap, then tight-ish again. It’s different this time.

"Connor didn’t really come into it until he eagled 11, he was four under at the time, then he didn’t do anything straight after that. But then he birdied 15, 16 and 17 and the 17th was the big one for me, holing that par putt to guarantee a three-shot lead going down the last.

“I changed putter recently and I was using that exact same model three years ago, so I just kind of altered it. Instead of using a line on the top I put a dot and ever since then I’ve been rolling the ball really well.

“The scores haven’t been there before this but this week was my week. Winning anywhere is fantastic, it’s a great feeling, winning with family and friends here it means so much more.”

The 29-year-old carded six birdies and five bogeys to reach 12 under par for the tournament and continue his love affair with The Celtic Manor Resort, where he has finished first, fourth and joint-eighth in his past three visits.

The home fans may have expected to see a match play contest develop between Shinkwin and Julien Guerrier, who were separated by one shot at the start of the day.

But Shinkwin ran away from his rival, finding himself six clear after six holes.

With the pair posting different numbers at each of the first 11 holes, there were minor twists and turns as the round progressed but Shinkwin never relinquished his lead, despite a late charge from Scot Connor Syme piling on the pressure. 

Syme finished alone in second on eight under thanks to a 68 which contained an eagle, three birdies and two bogeys, while Guerrier was in the large group in a tie for third on five under.

Who is Callum Shinkwin?

Shinkwin was born in Watford in May 1993. he was a decent amateur, beating Matt Fitzpatrick in 2013 to win the English Amateur Championship. He turned pro later that year and joined the Challenge Tour in 2014 and 2015. In 2015 he qualified for the DP World Tour. He quickly established himself as a big hitter but had to wait until November 2020 for his first victory, the Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Open, seeing off Kalle Samooja in a playoff. His victory in Wales is not a complete surprise - he was 16th at the Cazoo Classic and seventh at the Hero Open.

He averages 311.07 yards from the tee but hits just 47.50% of fairways. He finds 63.89% of greens in regulation, gets up and down from the sand 50% of the time and averages 28.42 putts per round.

What’s In The Bag - Callum Shinkwin

Driver: Callaway Rogue ST Triple Diamond LS 10.5°, Grafalloy Blue X shaft

Fairways: Callaway Rogue ST Triple Diamond 15° and 18°

Irons: Callaway Apex MB ’21 3-9

Wedges: Callaway JAWS Raw 46° and 52°; Callaway JAWS Full Toe 58°

Putter: Odyssey Toulon Madison

Golf Ball: Callaway Chrome Soft X