From the brink of quitting the game to reinventing himself. It’s been a turbulent decade for James Morrison who has rekindled his love for tournament golf and is on the cusp of sealing a return to the DP World Tour.
A two-time winner on the DP World Tour, Morrison has contemplated packing away the clubs on numerous occasions since his last victory in 2015 and he has been open about his struggles with the pressure of tournament golf.
He eventually lost his card last season and was faced with the mental task of rebuilding himself for a season on the HotelPlanner Tour knowing that several young guns would be hungry to take down the veteran 40-year-old.
But after years of anguish which involved taking a step back to resolve his mental health issues, the Englishman won for the first time in ten years this season and leads the Rolex Grand Final by three shots on thirteen-under after a sublime 65 and he needs a top-4 finish tomorrow to seal an immediate return to Europe’s top-tier.
Morrison has been a bundle of joy for much of the week as he shares the experience with his 13-year-old son Finn who has done a magnificent job as caddie. This would be no ordinary victory…
“I’m really enjoying being with Finn. He did a great job we had one dodgy read today he said it was right to left and it was left to right so I’ll give him the blame for that one, apart from that he has done really well.
“The putt on the last I thought it was left to right and he said it was right to left and it was and it went straight into the middle of the hole. He’s done a great job and I’m so proud to have him with me and win lose or draw tomorrow I’ll have had a great experience.
“It would be fairytale stuff with how big the week is it would be even more special to have him next to me. I never even contemplated winning this golf tournament, I just wanted to give it the best shot I could do.”
When you lose your DP World Tour card, a major part of winning it back is your attitude to playing on the second tier again and Morrison has rediscovered his enjoyment for the game.
“More than ever. I haven’t enjoyed golf the last three or four years, I’ve made it such a burden. Playing golf competitively has been a joy. Having Finn next to me, he’s been on the road since he was born, he’s been around the game long enough to know it and understand it now. He can be there next to me and he’s enjoying himself as am I, it’s been a great time.
“At the start of the year I wasn’t in a good spot. What made it worse was that I didn’t want to be here and the young guys were happy to be here. It’s a double edged sword, the first few months were hard but the last six or seven I have really embraced it and enjoyed it for what it is, pulling the trolley and just getting out there and that’s what it’s all about.”
Morrison isn’t the only experienced pro to have dropped down the ranks this season, Scotland’s David Law had already secured promotion before teeing it up in Alcanada this week and he has played a huge role in dragging Morrison back up.
“David Law has really inspired me seeing how he goes about his business he’s come back with an unbelievable attitude and his job is done. He has dragged me along with his attitude and approach to the game.”
Morrison began the week 36th in the Road to Mallorca Rankings and with a victory would be projected 8th which would give him a very strong DP World Tour card next year.
He didn’t look to be feeling the pressure as he fired seven birdies in a bogey-free round.
“I felt fine again today, same routine, I’ve done this for long enough now and sticking to the same routine. I played nicely today, great at the start, wonky middle patch and battled around the middle of the back nine and finished well.
“To do it like that is very special, one day to go. Been here so many times on the DP World Tour we never know, could shoot 105 tomorrow could shoot 65, I’m open to anything I’ve been there and done it both ways.”
He has an interesting post round routine, very much in the Eddie Pepperell style, but the family holiday element of the week seems to have lifted the burden of competitive golf.
“I’ll do the same tonight, have three gin and tonics and a glass of wine, bit of ham, play some uno with the family! Come to the course tomorrow and see what happens.”
Looking to hold off former DP World Tour pro Daniel Van Tonder and Scotland’s Euan Walker who has missed out on promotion narrowly in the last two seasons, and others, Morrison is embracing his experience tag.
“You have to lean on what you have done, the guys behind me have never won on the DP World Tour so I have to tell myself that I am the experienced man here and I’ve done it before and keep going with that theory.”
