Cumbrian golf ace itching to get back on course - in Kenya

Cumbrian golf ace itching to get back on course - in Kenya

Cumbria’s top golfer hasn’t been on a golf course since finishing 13th in India at the start of January.Saturated Cumbrian courses and a long gap between events means Lockerbie will not be in action until the Kenya Open in two weeks’ time after deciding to miss this weekend’s Challenge Tour event in Colombia because of the cost and travel involved.He has endured a frustrating few weeks being confined to the driving range and admits he is itching to get to tournament golf in what is set to be a crucial year in which he hopes to win back his European Tour card golf practice routine.“Kenya is going to be the big starting point for me as it will be extremely hectic after that,” said Lockerbie.“There will be decent prize money on offer and it’s also a good golf course so you can predict it will be a good field.“I’m looking forward to getting going again as I would rather be playing than practising. It’s a well-established tournament and, although I won’t be expected to win, I am hopeful of playing well.“It has been a frustrating time as it’s difficult to get on to courses to practice this time of year.“They’re so wet that they’re nothing like what I will be playing on in events so it is a waste of time and would probably do me more harm than good.”Lockerbie lost his European Tour playing privileges after finishing 163rd in the order of merit following a disastrous 2010.His whole year is geared towards winning the Challenge Tour title and he already knows the formula for success.He posted his maiden professional victory in the 2008 Kazakhstan Open, collecting the £55,000 winner’s cheque and securing his immediate return to the European Tour after losing his card following a tough debut season in 2007 Being Number One has not Changed Kaymer’s Life.The 28-year-old former county player has been reunited with his former coach Paul Jenkinson after an 18-month break.Jenkinson guided his early career from winning the English Boys’ Championship as a teenager and then being crowned 2003 English Amateur Championship and earning selection for the Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup team.Lockerbie said: “I’ve been working hard with Paul. I feel as if I am hitting the ball better but it doesn’t matter how well you hit it on the driving range, it depends on how you do it on the golf course.”