By Amanda Little

Last updated at 14:02, Thursday, 08 January 2009

GARY LOCKERBIE is swapping snow and freezing temperatures in Cumbria for the heat of the Arabian desert in a bid to keep his European Tour card.

Gary Lockerbie

Lockerbie’s determination to establish himself on Europe’s top tour means he is determined to pack in as many events early in the new year.

His non-stop schedule will see him playing in Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Dubai over the next four weeks – money-spinning tournaments he hopes will see him rack up thousands in prize money.

Lockerbie, who today teed off in the Joburg Open at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club, won back his European Tour card after finishing second in the 2008 Challenge Tour order of merit.

The 26-year-old former county star from Penrith lost his full European Tour privileges after a disappointing debut season on the showcase of golf this side of the Atlantic in 2006 – but now he wants his card for keeps.

He said: “The number one priority this year has to be to keep my card – and anything after that is a bonus.

“I’m just happy to be back on the European Tour and I’m determined to stay there. It’s a nice step up from the Challenge Tour.

“This year’s Tour is really starting in earnest now and I want to get off to a good start, pick up some decent money and give myself a good chance of keeping my card.

“The beauty of being in South Africa and then Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Dubai also means that I can get plenty of practice under my belt because that’s impossible in England at the moment due to the weather.”

Lockerbie headed to the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club in the South African capital on Sunday, basking in glorious sunshine and temperatures of 25 degrees, and shook off the ring rust in a curtain-raising pro-am.

He has barely played a round for the past three weeks and admits he needs to rediscover both form and confidence going into this week’s event.

He said: “I haven’t been hitting the ball well since I got here. I’ve felt very ring-rusty, but I’m hoping just getting back on the course and playing will help.

“I’ve played here twice before and not managed to make the cut, so that has to be my first aim.

“I’ll be happy to make the cut, blow away the cobwebs and then focus on forthcoming tournaments, where I’ll be aiming to do well and make some decent money.”

Home favourite Richard Sterne will attempt to become the first player since Seve Ballesteros in 1986 to win three consecutive tournaments on the European Tour when he defends his Joburg Open title.

Sterne faces strong competition for the lion’s share of the €1,100,000 Euro prize fund from a strong home contingent led by two-time US Open Champion Retief Goosen, who finished tied sixth in the South African Open Championship before Christmas.

Goosen is chasing his 15th European Tour title -and first since 2007 – and is joined in the field by compatriots including Anton Haig, James Kingston, Louis Oosthuizen, Hennie Otto and Charl Schwartzel, winner of the Madrid Masters last October.

First published at 11:25, Thursday, 08 January 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk