Liam Nolan acknowledges that a loss of form during the second half of the season is what ultimately cost him as his DP World Tour promotion bid fizzled out at the Rolex Grand Final in Alcanada.
Nolan’s week never got going and a final round of 72 saw him share 43rd place on six-over to bring an end to his maiden season as a professional and it will be straight back to the HotelPlanner Tour in January for him after he opted to skip next week’s marathon six round final stage of Q-School.
“It’s been a frustrating week. The game wasn’t really there this week but the effort was which I suppose is a good thing,” reflected Nolan who after finishes of 3rd and 4th in his first two starts fell down the rankings following eight missed cuts in eleven events.
“First year as a pro, first time in Mallorca at the final event so it’s been a great season. Not exactly how I wanted to finish, but I’m very privileged and lucky to be where I am and it’s been a great first year.
“My game hasn’t been there for a few months now. I have no regrets in my preparation or my scheduling. It was a tough decision to not play the Irish Open this year but I saw it as the best way to prepare and get my DP World Tour card. Even though it hasn’t gone my way I’m very happy with the plans I put in place to try and achieve that goal.”
The Galway man’s decision to forego a second bite of the cherry at promotion to the DP World Tour shows a huge sign of maturity. Having turned down an Irish Open invite in September, it’s clear that he is in no rush to reach the top and won’t be caught out turning his dream into a wild goose chase.
Nolan’s career has been one of steady progression. Five years ago he was without an Irish cap and was on the outside looking in at amateur level. Before turning professional in August last year, he won the South American Amateur, the Brabazon Trophy, played on the 2023 GB&I Walker Cup team and qualified for the 2024 Open Championship.
It’s been a steady step by step process where a lot of discipline has been needed and it’s an approach that he believes will get him to where he wants to be.
“I’ve never been one to progress through levels of golf very quickly,” he said. “I take my time and when my time comes I will be ready to progress and hopefully just stay at the next level. I’ve learned a lot this year and it’s been a really, really good year for me.
“I’ve learned a lot about managing a length like this, it’s a very long season, much longer than we would have had in amateur golf. Fatigue and some frustration kicked in later on in the year, things like that and mental things because my game is well good enough so just looking forward to getting next year started.”
For the 25-year-old to have began the season with only an Alps Tour card in January to eventually make the HotelPlanner Tour’s season-ending event represents huge growth in his game and he admits that he is proud of how his season has gone and he will go into 2026 with a strong footing in the professional game.
“Absolutely, I was nowhere in January, looking at Alps Tour events and trying to figure out what I was going to do and with the help of Golf Ireland and the great people who work there giving new pros like myself playing opportunities on this tour I was able to give myself a full card and get to Mallorca off the back of them. Massive thanks to them, being the only Irish here and to have the country represented gives me a huge sense of pride.”
After some winter work on his game he will start the 2026 HotelPlanner Tour season at his home away from home looking to make another explosive start to his promotion tilt.
“I’m a big fan of South Africa, I really like it down there and the golf courses are great. Couple of months off now to get back to where I was that time last year. Looking forward to the off season, working on my game, having some time at home and getting ready to go again.”
