Former US Amateur champ Curtis Luck was disqualified for missing his first-round tee time at a Korn Ferry Tour Finals event on Thursday. And it could wind up costing the 27-year-old Aussie his PGA Tour card.

Luck was in the field at this week’s Albertsons Boise Open. And he was at the golf course Thursday morning, but didn’t get to the first tee at Hillcrest Country Club for a 7.45am tee time.

Luck, who entered the week No. 59 on the Korn Ferry Tour points list, was replaced in the field by James Nicholas.

Curtis Luck missed his first-round tee time (7:45 a.m.) and did not arrive within the five additional minutes allotted under Rule 5.3a, and was subsequently disqualified. Luck did not meet any of the three exceptions within Rule 5.3a.

— Korn Ferry Tour Communications (@KFTComms) August 24, 2023

When reached by Golf Digest, Luck said he mistakenly thought his tee time was 10 minutes later.

“I just flat-out misread my tee time,” said Luck, who was also using a replacement caddie this week. “I thought I was off at 7.55am and I was just on the range finishing my warm-up. I actually started walking to the tee at 7.46am.”

Last man in field, last chance to earn starts. ?@_james_nicholas goes from first alternate to last man in the field after fellow competitor’s disqualification for missing tee time. pic.twitter.com/QA69SJHih6

— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) August 25, 2023

Had Luck arrived within a five-minute grace period, he would have only received a two-stroke penalty.

“It is very unfortunate that I was on site and didn’t make it,” Luck added.

The Albertsons Boise Open is the first of four events in the Korn Ferry Tour Finals, which will conclude at next month’s Korn Ferry Tour Championship. The top 30 in points after that event will earn a PGA Tour card for next season.

That means Luck lost a vital opportunity to improve his position and guarantee his place in the Korn Ferry Tour Championship, where only the top 75 players get a spot. On the bright side, by finishing in the top 75 on the regular season points list, he has already guaranteed his Korn Ferry Tour card for next season.

Luck played one full season on the PGA Tour in 2018-19. He’s a past Korn Ferry Tour winner having claimed the 2020 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship.

“I’ll just show up in Nashville and then Columbus and keep throwing everything I’ve got at the playoffs,” Luck said. “Columbus is my favourite on the Korn Ferry Tour [having won it in 2020]. So I just have to keep pressing on.”

The post Bad Luck: Past US Amateur champ disqualified from Korn Ferry Tour Finals event after missing tee time appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Dave Shedloski
Curtis Luck finally broke through for his first professional title. And that was only half of the good news Sunday for the 24-year-old Australian, who fought his swing all day but counterpunched with his putter to record a one-stroke victory in the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship in Columbus, Ohio.

Thanks to one-putt greens on three of the last four holes at the Ohio State University Scarlet Course, including a par save from seven feet at the 72nd hole, Luck converted his 54-hole lead into his first Korn Ferry Tour title. The 2016 U.S. Amateur champion closed with an even-par 71 and 11-under 273 total, one ahead of Theo Humphrey, Taylor Montgomery and Cameron Young, who missed a tying birdie try that was on the same line and just inches inside the putt Luck converted.

Five players finished at 9-under 275, including tour points leader Will Zalatoris, who stumbled with bogeys on the last two holes after briefly taking the lead.

In the process of rebuilding his swing – and he admits he’s “not on top of them yet” – Luck was all over the Scarlet Course on Sunday, which kept him from putting red on his scorecard until consecutive birdies on 15 and 16. Then he snagged tough pars on the final two holes for an unlikely victory in a season in which he didn’t have a top 10. Luck had missed the cut in his last three starts, but he did have good vibes about the Scarlet Course where in three previous appearances he placed T-19, T-5 and T-7.

“Luckily, I hit a few good shots coming down the stretch and holed some putts to save my skin,” said Luck, ranked third on the Korn Ferry Tour in putting average.

The win came with a potential bonus beyond the $180,000 prize money.

Luck should now get into the field at next month’s U.S. Open at Winged Foot. It would be his first. As U.S. Amateur champion, Luck earned an exemption into the 2017 U.S. Open at Erin Hills, but he forfeited it when he turned pro after the Masters. The Nationwide Children’s event is part of a three-tournament qualifying series that ends at next week’s Korn Ferry Tour Championship. The top five in points make the U.S. Open field. Luck earned 600 points with his win, elevating him to second behind Stephen Jaeger, who won last week in Boise. Which makes Luck all but a lock, as it were.

“That’s obviously a bit of a cherry at the end of the year,” Luck said. “If I can lock up that spot is awesome.

“Golf’s really tough,” he added after winning in his 44th Korn Ferry start and after one disappointing year on the PGA Tour. “It’s probably not gone 100 percent to plan with the way I wanted to when I turned pro, but yeah, I’ve just stuck with it, and I’m still working hard. Obviously, to get a win out here is massive because not only does it give me status for the next couple years out here on the Korn Ferry Tour, it just shows that I’m able to compete, which is nice.”

Zalatoris added to his lead in the season-long points race. PGA Tour cards cannot be earned during this pandemic-shortened season, but the top-10 players in the Korn Ferry standings at the conclusion of next week’s final get rewarded with guaranteed entry into opposite field events on the PGA Tour next season. The race for 25 PGA Tour cards extends into 2021 and ends at the WinCo Foods Portland Open.

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If you’ve never heard of Curtis Luck, you better get to know the name. Luck, a 20-year-old Australian, was one of two amateurs to make the cut at the 2017 Masters, posting rounds of 78-72-75-72 to finish T-46. He relinquished his amateur status on Monday, already securing spots at the Dean & DeLuca Invitational, Memorial Tournament and Quicken Loans National, with hopes of making his debut at the Valero Texas Open.

Curtis Luck wore Asia Callaway during his debut appearance at the Masters. – Harry How

Sure, fellow Aussies Jason Day and Adam Scott predict Luck will quickly become a world-class golfer, but what caught our eye at Augusta was Luck’s effortless sense of style. Wearing Asia Callaway apparel, he seamlessly paired trucker hats with printed polos and slim-fit trousers, masterfully matching bold colors with neutral foundations. He could’ve walked off Augusta National and straight into Brooklyn, sending home the message that golfers don’t need to look preppy and uptight when they tee it up.

It’ll be interesting to see if Luck signs with an apparel company right away or waits a bit, mixing and matching his way through his first year as a professional golfer. We’d bet on the latter, and can’t wait for him to offer style inspiration as he tees it up in the States in 2017.

The post The style standout at the 2017 Masters is someone you’ve never heard of appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

“I was about 200 yards away because I couldn’t get close to him. Yeah… just too many people watching.”

Fast-forward three years and the Dubai-adopted Indian amateur finds himself with a much crisper view from inside the ropes alongside the 14-time major champion and two-time Omega Dubai Desert Classic winner here at Emirates Golf Club.

“It’s a bit different,” said the 17-year-old in his pre-tournament press conference alongside Australian Curtis Luck, the world’s No.2 ranked amateur. No kidding.

“For sure, he’s a huge role model for me,” Thomas said of Woods. “I’ve probably watched every major of his on YouTube. I look at him as one of the greatest athletes of all time.”

While this is Woods’ eighth appearance in Dubai, it will be Thomas’ bow in a tournament and on a course, the majestic Majlis, that has helped shape his amateur ambition.

“I’ve been wanting to play this event for a while now. Since I’m at least 12, I’ve been coming out to watch this event, and it’s great to be here at home.”

Run us through some of your favourite Desert Classic memories then, those ones from outside the ropes?

“Just like sort of being in the clinics with, I remember there was Pete Cowen, and I think Lee Westwood was there, [and me] asking some silly questions and Pete giving me some stick about it. Just walking around and being in that atmosphere, and suddenly you’re inside the ropes; it’s a bit different.

“Being around some big names, it’s great for me to put myself in this position for the future, and hopefully in four or five years I’ll be out here with these guys. It’s good to get comfortable soon.”

The Desert Classic will be Thomas’ third European Tour start and given he knows the Majlis “like the back of my hand”, arguably his best chance of making the cut.

He shot rounds of 79-75 at last year’s Qatar Masters to finish 10 over par but showed he’s getting more comfortable in exalted company with rounds of 72-75 to finish three over and five shots shy of the weekend in Abu Dhabi a fortnight ago. Since Abu Dhabi he’s added a little loft to his driver in the hope of producing a little more carry spin and to eliminate a “big left miss” that cost him on The National.

“I try not to give myself expectations, but you always expect something,” Thomas continued

“Abu Dhabi was good for confidence, just to be around those guys. It’s always a bit intimidating when you play a European Tour event. It’s good to play in those conditions and sort of get used to those quicker greens and thicker rough, which you don’t get much around here.

“As long as I just play my best and stick to my routines, I’ll be fine. But yeah, there’s always a little bit of pressure.”

As well as looking across at Luck in the press conference, Thomas also admitted to looking up to the to U.S. and Asia Pacific Amateur champion Luck who is ranked 110 places higher than the Indian and announced he will return professional after playing the U.S. Masters in April.

Asked if he was also thinking of switching to the paid ranks, Thomas put his station in the golfing scheme of things into perspective.

“I’ve still got to finish school first in just about two years, and then decide after that, 2019.”

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The 20-year-old from Perth, the reigning U.S. and Asia Pacific Amateur Champion, announced himself to the European Tour Friday with a second round 65 to roar into the weekend tied 12th at -7 in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championships.

After struggling with the pace of The National’s greens Thursday, Luck got his putter going with a faultless seven-birdie loop to be just four shots off the lead midway through the second round.

“Yesterday was a bit rough so to come back and obviously have a good one today is I guess good for the confidence for the rest of the week.,” said Luck who eagled the par 5 second and birdied the last in the first round but cancelled the gains out with three bogeys.

“Hopefully this form continues, and yeah, I’m ready to get to the weekend and give it a crack.”

Luck may be an amateur but he’s no novice at the pro level having won the Queensland Open in October, the first amateur to achieve the feat since 1991. He ended 2016 on a high with a creditable T11 at the Australian Open at Royal Sydney where he teed it up with eventual champion Jordan Spieth a fortnight after being paired with former world No.1 Adam Scott at the Australian PGA Championship.

He’ll draw on those experiences as he goes in search of a low weekend.

“Just looking at the leaderboard, I’m still going to need a big weekend to catch up. There’s definitely low scores out there. So I’m expecting to see the leaderboards keep climbing higher and higher with these guys,” he said.

“I’ve just got to try to keep up, post more good numbers and see Sunday afternoon I guess.”

Regardless of what transpires, Luck has more than justified his sponsors invite to Abu Dhabi which is all part of a wider reconnaissance mission before he turns pro after April’s U.S. Masters. He’s also qualified for the U.S. Open at Erin Hills and the 146^th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale on the back of his amateur awesomeness last year.

“Every bit of experience I’m getting over the next three months is crucial to when I finally get ready to turn pro and play events like the Masters. Just the overall, being here, the circumstances and getting to play with such great players is awesome.

“I had some good conversation with Spieth and Adam Scott [about Augusta National]. I think the biggest thing that comes in common with what they are saying is probably that the course just transforms overnight between Wednesday and Thursday; it’s a completely different golf course.

“I’m excited to get there and just obviously see the place. I think that’s going to be the biggest thing that I have to get my head around, but yeah, so excited.”

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Thomas earned a start in next month’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic on the back of topping the MENA Tour’s amateur order of merit last term, a feat highlighted by his historic win in his home Dubai Creek Open last September.

But the 17-year-old will now battle Luck, 20, for leading amateur honours in both Desert Swing events after the duo received invites from the Abu Dhabi Sports Council for the January 19-22 opener at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

It gives Thomas at least two shots at making his first European Tour cut after he shot 79-75 in last year’s Commercial Bank Qatar Masters to miss the weekend at +10. The Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club member could yet secure starts in all three Desert Swing events this winter with the winner and top two Qataris from the 54-hole Qatar Open Amateur Championship finishing Saturday earning starts in the January 27-30 Qatar Masters.

Thomas and Luck will tee it up alongside world No.2 Rory McIlroy, U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson, Open Champion and world No. 4 Henrik Stenson, defending champion Rickie Fowler and Desert Classic and U.S. Masters champion Danny Willett at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.

“It’s going to be an unforgettable experience to be able to make my European Tour debut in front of a home crowd here in the UAE, especially with the likes of Rory and Dustin in the field,” said Thomas who became the first amateur winner on the MENA Tour.

Dubai-based Indian teen Rayhan Thomas created history by becoming the first amateur to win a MENA Tour event in September – Getty Images

“I’m just going to make sure I focus on my game and give the best account of myself that I can; I can’t wait to get out on the course.”

Luck, currently second in the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) behind American Maverick McNealy, has earned starts in three of the year’s four majors on the back of winning last year’s U.S. Amateur and Asia Pacific Amateur Championship.

The bearded Aussie could clearly even threaten the pros atop the leaderboard in Abu Dhabi having also won the 2016 Western Australia Open on the PGA Tour of Australasia.

U.S and Asia Pacific amateur champion Curtis Luck will also tee it up in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai – Getty Images

“This is going to be a massive year for me and playing in Abu Dhabi is a great place to start,” said Luck who followed in the soft spike marks of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson as a U.S. Amateur champion,

“The field is looking really strong so I’m looking forward to testing myself against some of the best players in the world right now. It’s an amazing opportunity and hopefully I can set the tone for the rest of the season with a good performance.”

Luck and Thomas can draw inspiration from last year’s Abu Dhabi tournament where then-amateur Bryson DeChambeau thrilled the Abu Dhabi crowds with a stunning eight-under 64 on the first day to take the lead. The American went into the weekend tied-second with McIlroy after a second round 72 before fading to a T54 finish with rounds of 78-72 over the weekend, 14 shots adrift of Fowler.

Visit www.abudhabigolfchampionship.com for ticket information.

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