Former European Amateur Championship winner Manuel Trappel cannot wait to make his professional debut at his home Challenge Tour tournament, the Kärnten Golf Open presented by Mazda at Jacques Lemans Golf Club.
Trappel is highly regarded as one of Europe’s finest young players after he became the first Austrian to win the prestigious amateur tournament, following in the footsteps of Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy.
Having turned professional earlier this year, the 23 year old will play the Kärnten Golf Open for the first time since joining the paid ranks.
Despite not knowing much about the host venue, Trappel cannot wait to get back to Austrian soil and try to impress in front of the home crowds.
“I played the tournament twice as an amateur but this is my first time as a professional,” said Trappel. “Unfortunately I don’t know the course we are going to play on but we have had some good weather in Austria recently so I expect it to be in good shape and I know the promoters have done a lot of work on it.
“Hopefully the home supporters can come out in force now. This will be a big tournament for me this year and I am hoping to focus on the Challenge Tour and the invites I get.
“I don’t think there will be more pressure just because I am a professional. I hope that I can go there and have some fun and hole some birdies and we’ll see at the end of the week how I do. I want to get a Challenge Tour card for next year so hopefully I can make a good push there.”
Trappel has only played two tournaments on the Challenge Tour this year, missing the cut at the Telenet Trophy before making the weekend at the D+D Real Czech Challenge Open two weeks ago and finishing tied 53rd.
The man from Bregenz has thus far enjoyed his experience on the European circuit and believes his game is going in the right direction.
“It has gone well so far,” he said. “I started the season on the Alps Tour. Unfortunately I missed the cut at my first Challenge Tour event in Belgium but I played better in the Czech Republic so it’s going in the right direction.
“I feel really comfortable in the professional life. February was the right time for me to turn professional and I am really enjoying it.
“I have seen a lot as an amateur, playing The Open last year and playing two European Tour events and a few Challenge Tour so that was really helpful. I saw it all as an amateur and that’s why I wanted to turn pro and find my way as a professional.
“I want to try and get onto The European Tour now but I really enjoy the Challenge Tour. It’s a really good tour with really good courses, I enjoy it a lot and I'm looking forward to the rest of the season.”
