Dermot McElroy is hoping to impress in front of home support when he tees it up at Galgorm this week in the Black Desert NI Open presented by Tom McKibbin.
The Northern Irishman is no stranger to the parkland layout having grown up just four miles from the course in Ballymena and will be backed by some familiar faces as he goes in search of a first Challenge Tour win.
The 31-year-old is hoping that his time spent at Galgorm growing up will give him an advantage this week.
“I’m very relaxed about this week,” he said. “I know this course so well, so I’m looking forward to it. It’ll be great to see a local crowd out here too, and my whole family will be watching.
“I play the course most days when I’m at home. It is very demanding off the tee so if you drive it well, generally you’ll score well. Your driver really does have to be razor sharp and then hopefully the rest falls into place.
“I know how to play it and I know what a good score is on a breezy day, and it’s always quite breezy here.”
McElroy has tasted victory in the NI Open before, with Galgorm hosting the final round of his seven-shot victory in 2022 when the event was played on the Clutch Pro Tour.
After an indifferent start to the season, McElroy arrives on home soil having finished tied 31st in the Euram Bank Open last week, a result he feels was a step in the right direction and one he is hoping to build on this week.
“I think I found something in my game last week,” he added. “I would say I’m quietly confident coming into this week.
“I’ve been changing about with my driver all year, and it hasn’t been up to the standard I’d want it, but I think I’ve found something that suits me. As I say, I’m quietly confident.”
McElroy is part of a strong field at Galgorm which includes the top five players in the Road to Mallorca Rankings, including Dane Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, Englishman John Parry and Spaniard Joel Moscatel, who have all won twice this season.
Play gets under way on Thursday, with free tickets available for all spectators.
