TWO of Ireland's leading professionals hope to compete on the USPGA Tour next season. In fact if everything works according to plan, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley will be dividing the year's tournament activities between Europe and America.
Their first assignment will be the final stage of US Tour Qualifying School in December. It is assumed that their positions in the World Rankings will give them exemptions through the first two qualifying stages, as happened with David Feherty in 1993.
"I have always had a special feeling for the States since my time on scholarship in San Diego," said McGinley yesterday. "I see this as a logical development of my career, certainly with regard to improving my position in the world rankings."
Clarke takes a similar view. "I suppose I could settle for a fairly comfortable life on the European Tour earning around £300,000 per year, but I want to become a better player," he said. "I also happen to think that US tournament courses should suit my game"
They had been encouraged in their decision by the impressive progress of 23-year-old Lee Westwood, particularly in his share of 24th placed with Nick Price in last week's US Masters, so earning an invitation into next year's event. All three players are clients of International Sports Management, run by Andrew Chandler.
"Lee has decided to go to the US Tour School," said Chandler yesterday. "With 1998 being a non-Ryder Cup year, it seems an ideal time to try it and his decision has removed any lingering doubts Paul and Darren may have had." Chandler added: "They have also been influenced by the success of two of the Swedes, Gabriel Hjertstedt and Adam Mednick, who gained their cards in California last December.
Then there is the impressive, current form of Jesper Parnevik whose share of second place with Brad Faxon in the MCI Classic last Sunday brought his season's earnings to $764,510 for fourth position in the US money list. "The success of these players has convinced the three lads that it's possible to make the break through over there," said Chandler.
He went on: "This decision is not about money. It's about helping them to reach their full potential as tournament players and I happen believe that the Sony World Rankings are going to become increasingly important over the next few years.
"The idea would be for them to play the first four months of the year in the States, return to Europe in early May and then return for a few more tournaments in August. With the right sort of planning, it should be possible to play 15 tournaments over there and 15 in Europe.
"Another determining factor is the fragmented nature of the European Tour in the early months of the year. Darren, Paul and Lee have already travelled about 30,000 miles since January.
Though Philip Walton considered trying his luck in the US a few seasons ago, Feherty is the only Irish player to have made a worthwhile challenge there. He failed in his first attempt at gaining a US Tour card in 1988 but succeeded five years later.
In 1994, his first full season on the USPGA Tour, Feherty was runner-up in the New England Classic and ended the year with earnings of $178,501 for 100th place on the money list. The break-up of his marriage in 1995, however, saw his form tumble to the extent that he lost his card and has since turned to television commentating with the CBS Network.
