Lincoln Tighe knows quite well that in a few weeks he’ll have four rounds of golf to play that could mark the turning point in his developing golf career.
The big red-headed bomber from Port Kembla, NSW has criss-crossed the Pacific Ocean in the last few months chasing his dream of playing on the Web.Com Tour in 2016. He finds himself in the Final Stage of the USPGA Tour School – the toughest test in World Golf.
The school begins on December 10th at the PGA National in Florida, meaning Tighe won't be defending his NSWPGA Title.
“It's always been my dream to play the US tour – It suits my game over there,” he says.
Tighe has made three trips to the US in the last seven weeks chasing his dream. It’s been an expensive exercise, but one that will hopefully reap big rewards. His game is improving and he feels ready.
“It's been good. I’ve been getting it all together in the last few months,” Tighe says. “Since seeing Gary Barter at the Australian Golf Club I’ve been getting more consistent and comfortable in the bigger tournaments.”
After surviving the first two stages of the cut-throat US Tour School Tighe is feeling quite comfortable with the challenge ahead. He has taken in plenty of advice along the way, in particular from good mates Nathan Green and James Nitties, both of whom know a bit about playing on the US Tour.
“They’ve been great. They gave me some advice on which courses to play (Tour School sites), and what to expect.”
Tighe shot an 8-under par final round in the first stage to run 3rd – easily making it to second stage, where, against much stiffer opponents he stayed in contention before making birdies on his final two holes to finish with a ticket to the final stage.
“Those two birdies got me in on the number – 21st I was!”
The tougher opposition he is facing in the US is strengthening his mental game. He isn’t overawed by the reputations of some of the playing partners he's been paired with either.
“They’re just out there trying their best – just the same as me really.”
“I can only control what I do, and to just think about my own process and my own pre-shot routine, that’s all,” he says.