Coughlan sees future in US

Richie Coughlan has a ticket to play on the Asian PGA Tour this season, but he is unlikely to use it. Instead, Coughlan, a graduate of Clemson University and a former Walker Cup player, who failed by one place to keep his playing rights on the US PGA Tour in his rookie season last year, intends to continue playing his golf primarily Stateside with the occasional foray, dependent on invites, to Europe.

Although he won't get into any of the tournaments on the full US Tour, Coughlan has been given "unconditional status" on the Nike Tour, which will enable him to play in up to 16 events on the secondary tour; and, with prizemoney equivalent to that on offer in the Far East, along with the incentive that a really good campaign could win him his tour card, the Birr golfer has opted to pursue that route.

"Richie wanted to give himself options for the year, which is why he went for the card in Asia," explained his manager, Johnny Whitmore of the London-based Stellar Promotions. However, the fact that he is guaranteed so many appearances on the Nike Tour, a route used by David Duval, which gives him the opportunity to win back his full playing rights, has prompted Coughlan to again base himself in the United States where he is accustomed to the courses.

Unfortunately, the numbers game hasn't been too kind to Coughlan in his fledgling professional career. Last year, he finished in 151st place on the US moneylist - a mere $435 extra in prizemoney from his 31 events played would have given him a place in the top 150 with the guarantee of 20 tournaments on the full tour this season, and also a Nike Tour card. He was forced to return to tour school but failed to win back his card. And, to rub salt into the wound, the system in use on the Nike Tour (ironically, it will be changed next year) means that the last-placed player from qualifying school has a higher ranking than Coughlan when it comes to getting into tournaments.

He is also considering playing in the Canadian Tour qualifying school in early May, again to give himself options. He received good news last week when the organisers of the Murphy's Irish Open confirmed that a sponsor's invitation would be extended to him for the event at Druid's Glen on July 1st-4th. Coughlan was unable to take up a similar invite last year due to his commitments on the US Tour - but he is extremely grateful for the latest offer. He also intends to play in qualifying for the British Open and the US Open.

Coughlan's seasonal debut on the Nike Tour is expected to take place in next week's Mississippi Gulf Coast Open and then the Greater Austin Open in Texas the following week. Meanwhile, Keith Nolan, his former Irish and Walker Cup partner, has a fuller schedule on the Nike Tour thanks to surviving the cut at the tour's qualifying school and the Bray golfer will be in action this week in the Florida Classic at Gainesville.

The 24 players in last December's President's Cup match between America and the Rest of the World (minus Europe) have all been given exemptions into the British Open championship at Carnoustie in July.

Peter Thomson's International side thrashed the United States 20 1/2 to 11 1/2 in Melbourne and the decision means that none of the golfers involved in the match will have to go through qualifying for the Open.

It is the first time the President's Cup has been recognised. Those who played in the 1994 and 1996 matches can go straight into the 36-hole final qualifying competition rather than the initial 18-hole regional qualifying event.

The changes bring the team members the same exemption status as the Ryder Cup.