Mallow golfer James Sugrue has clinched his HotelPlanner Tour card for 2026 after he finished in third place at the Clutch Tour Order of Merit with a joint sixth place finish at the season-ending Clutch Tour Championship last week. The 2019 Amateur Championship winner closed with a second successive five-under 65 at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club in Abu Dhabi to finish on 10-under.
“Obviously, the goal at the end of the season was to get on the HotelPlanner Tour, and I did that,” James said. “I couldn’t really be happier, to be quite honest, goal achieved, and everything that goes with it. So, yeah, absolutely over the moon.
“I’m very proud, especially after round one. I got off to a slow start, which is not what I wanted. It’s a long course, 7,200 yards, par 70.”
He added: “I’ve been waiting for this for a long time, and just can’t wait for 2026 and see what the future holds.”
Sugrue turned professional in 2021. His current coaches are Michael Collins (Mallow) and Gordon Smyth (PGA National Slieve Russell).
“I’ve worked with Michael since I was nine. I’ve never had a swing lesson from anybody else,” said James. “He’s been a mentor to me throughout my whole life and he knows my game better than anyone. He’s caddied for me many times in big events, he knows what I’m capable of doing.”
The tournament winner was Kilkenny’s Mark Power.