After every event it seems the same question arises: “Where does this latest result rank for you?”
Connor Graham ponders for a moment when reflecting on his latest success and responds “It’s certainly up there”.
The young golfer from Perthshire may only still be 15 years of age but, at the weekend, he penned the latest chapter in a growing list of impressive achievements out on the course.
A Blairgowrie Golf Club member, he finished second at the Lytham Trophy - a prestigious early season tournament which welcomes some of the best male amateur players from the UK and indeed Europe.
Rounds of 71, 71, 70 and 69 for a one over par total at Royal Lytham and St Anne’s Golf Club - an Open Championship venue and one of the country’s toughest links tests - earned him further deserved plaudits.
“I didn’t hit too many balls beforehand because I had a couple of problems with my back,” Connor explained to the Perthshire Advertiser.
“I wasn’t able to hit many with the driver leading up to it so I really just worked on my putting and short game.
“That really helped for the tournament. The short game needs to be good to keep a solid scorecard.
“It was a really tough golf course which is demanding off the tee, with a lot of bunkers up the fairways.
“And the greens are pretty small too so you needed to be good tee-to-green.”
As the tournament progressed, Connor remained right in the mix for top honours and had posted the clubhouse lead. But a late birdie on 17 in the final round allowed Englishman John Gough to come out on top by a solitary shot.
“It was 36 holes on the final day and I played solid in that third round,” Connor said ".I had a chance in the final round and knew, if I made a few birdies, I could catch up.
“There were a couple of leaderboards on the back nine so I was aware where I was sitting going into the last few holes.
“The eventual winner made a couple of bogeys which brought me back into it. But he ended up getting a birdie on 17 to sneak one ahead again.”
While disappointed not to lift the trophy, Connor realises this was another step in the right direction.
“I go to every tournament looking to try and win,” he said.
“But this is one of the biggest amateur events in Europe, so it is still a pretty good achievement coming second. This result is certainly up there.
“It’s a good feeling to play consistent golf on a tough course and against such a strong field.
“What has really helped this year is getting a bit of extra distance off the tee.
“I’m always gaining yards and hitting it longer. I can score more consistently with hitting more greens and having shorter clubs into holes.
“I’m in the gym a lot now, trying to get as strong and fast as I can. Right now, it’s really helping the golf game.”
A busy schedule tees-off again towards the end of the month and, despite his young years, Connor is excited about continuing to impress in the men’s game.
He said: “It was a good finish at the Lytham Trophy but now it is about preparation and getting ready for the next tournament.
“My golf is now at a level where I can compete when I’m playing well. I don’t think my age has got too much to do with it anymore.”
