Palanyandi looking to take advantage on his favourite course
Port Royal Golf Course has been the scene of rich rewards for Damian Palanyandi throughout the inaugural Moongate Tour.
Three of the top amateur’s four victories have achieved at the par-71 Southampton layout, including the Tour opener in February when he finished tied with professional Nick Jones, and the 30-year-old is hoping to build upon those results as he gears up for the season-ending Moongate Tour Championship at the course on Friday and Saturday.
“I’m really looking forward to the tournament this week” Palanyandi told The Royal Gazette. “I love the course, the staff and the people but most importantly, I know I can make putts there.”
Palanyandi will be well fancied to come out on top against his seventeen rivals, with the 36-hole championship made up of the the top 18 players on the Moongate Tour.
With fellow tour winners Chaka DeSilva, Will Haddrell and Jones among his rivals, Palanyandi will again be able to test himself against his likely local rivals for a qualifying spot in the Butterfield Bermuda Championship.
“The field will largely resemble the PGA qualifiers in three weeks and it will be a lot of fun competing against some of the best players in Bermuda,” Palanyandi said. “Scores have been very competitive lately, and I think the winner is going to have to play some good golf over the two days to take home the championship.”
Palanyandi has also had time to reflect on his performance in the World Amateur Team Championships in Paris, France, this month.
Among the team that placed 64th among the 71 participating countries with Jarryd Dillas, Haddrell and non-playing captain Gary Burnet, Palanyandi found the going tough but believes the experience he gained will ultimately pay off.
“After coming off a hot season, my disappointing performance in France was certainly humbling,”Palanyanfi said. “Grinding for four days straight to shoot consecutive rounds in the low 80s is never too much fun.
“But I have no doubt the experience I gained, the perseverance I showed and all the short game practice I got will pay off in the future.
“Whether I’m in form or not, I intend to do my best, stay positive and not give up.”
The Moongate Tour is the brainchild of professionals Andrew Trott-Francis and DeSilva, and was created to afford more competitive opportunities for local professional and low-handicap amateur players.
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