Andrew Tampion: Grinds it out in Europe
IN: News | by Anthony Powter | 17 Aug 2008
Life on tour for the last two years in Europe has been a bit of a mixed bag for Andrew Tampion with the 23-year-old experiencing his share of highs and lows as he grinds his way through the aptly named “European Challenge Tour”, arguably one of the world’s toughest secondary tours.
Less than a fortnight ago, Tampion was holding the Challenge of Ireland championship trophy after claiming his maiden European Challenge Tour win. He holed a 12-footer putt on the last hole for an impressive final round 67 to win the title by a stroke.
Andrew Tampion Audio Interview
The win in Ireland was timely for Tampion and confirmed his own belief that Europe is where he wants to play and develop his game.
“It definitely gives me a boost to get back onto the European Tour next year,” said Tampion earlier in the week.
“My effort in The Open at Royal Birkdale back in July was another indication that my game is improving. Even though I was a little disappointed with missing the cut by two in a major, every shot there was brutal and it proved to me that I can compete with the world’s best out there.”
Previous experiences were flashing through Tampion’s mind as he explained during our interview what life has been like as a touring professional in Europe. A tour where the difference between success and failure, like anywhere, is measured simply by missed putts and opportunities.
“My putting has saved me a lot lately and has got me into contention at the right times and I’ve been able to bank some cheques,” remarked Tampion. “The last few months have been very difficult for me and it can get so lonely out here. It’s tough.”
Tampion lost his full-playing status in 2007 after finishing in 161st position with earnings of €139,634 in his rookie year. The statistics show that approximately only half of the rookies on the European Tour in any season keep their card after the first year so Tampion has accepted the challenges that he now faces to get back onto the main tour.
“I miss playing the main tour, which has all the nice trappings like courtesy cars and help with accommodation. The Challenge Tour is a great tour to play but it’s a little limited and it’s a tough grind as you are spending a lot of money and not getting much of a return.”
Losing full playing privileges doesn’t necessarily mean a noose is permanently around a player’s neck either, it’s just harder for talented players like Tampion to get established during those formative years.
The European Challenge Tour as opposed to the American Nationwide Tour is the more prohibitively expensive of the two and coupled with the various language and logistical barriers, challenges are confronted every day whilst playing the only secondary tour in Europe.
“You don’t appreciate how good it was on the main tour,” says Tampion.
“I’ve not been able to have a caddy and probably will not for the remainder of the season. This is a hard tough grind with travel, accommodation and the small things that you notice now which you didn’t when playing on the main tour.”
Despite the temporary setbacks Tampion remains committed to playing professionally in Europe and has no immediate plans to try and obtain playing status in the US. He feels the variances with European courses and how playing them shapes your own game is invaluable for his development in the longer term.
“Europeans are making their mark all around the world. You only need to look how Padraig Harrington is playing to see how well players on these tours are competing with the world’s best.”
“I love playing the different courses and these experiences are giving me a more rounded game, which you don’t get on other tours.”
Andrew Tampion’s decision to turn professional in 2006 and be based in Europe came as no surprise for those who knew the Victorian.
After finishing T24 in the final stage of the European Tour School, Tampion had survived a major tour qualifying school in a display of guts and determination, especially as he played the first two stages as an amateur.
He’d secured a playing card being one of only six players to come through all three stages and, with that, certain starts on the European Tour. As with any rookie on a main tour the opening tournaments were critical, especially with the re-rank process and the opportunity of gaining starts in the bigger and more richer tournaments.
Tampion made a positive opening impression on the European Tour at the MasterCard Masters, making the cut in his debut as a professional in his home town of Melbourne. He followed that a few week’s later with a joint runner-up finish at the Indonesian Open to collect his biggest pay cheque, €60,205, in his career to date.
Since these opening tournaments inconsistency has plagued one of our most talented and emerging prospects and the bigger cheques have not been forthcoming. The recent win in Ireland was proof he has the game to return to the main tour and it also represented a much needed cash injection.
With career earnings totally just over €205,000, Tampion continues to grind away in Europe. He’s toughened individually from the experiences and is eager to regain the ground he held twelve months earlier.
“I probably took things a little for granted,” he says upon reflection of his rookie season.
“Europe is the best place to develop your game and I’ve no regrets with my decision to be based here, just that it is a hard grind playing the Challenge Tour and it certainly motivates you get get back onto the main tour again.”
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