While all professional golfers have a relentless hunger for the game, very few have the appetite of Damien Perrier.
As his fellow competitors took time out to refocus during what is a hectic schedule, Perrier stoically carried on competing, missing just one event on the European Challenge Tour this season – where instead he chose to play in the 100thOpen de France in his homeland.
For the ever-present Frenchman it has been a long climb to the summit of world golf after spending years honing his game – whether as a six year old in local tournaments or as a professional on Europe’s satellite tours.
“The first time I played golf I was four years old,” said Perrier, who finished 13thin the 2016 Road to Oman Rankings. “I was following my dad, who was an eight handicapper, on the course where he was a member.
“I started to play in competitions when I was six or seven, so I got my first handicap at seven. I played all the way through my childhood and turned professional when I was 18.
“Growing up I idolised Tiger Woods, but more recently I have started to admire Martin Kaymer, because he came through the mini tours like I have – and he went on to become World Number One.”
For Perrier, consistency has always been the key. The 27 year old earned his card for the 2016 Road to Oman by finishing in the top five on the satellite Alps Tour, a ranking which he obtained with nine top ten finishes, and without a victory.
Arriving in Kenya in March ready to play his second full season on Europe’s top developmental tour, Perrier knew the task of securing promotion two years in a row would be difficult – and was prepared to do all he could to make it happen.
“It was my strategy to play as much as I could,” he said. “Some players know they can’t maintain their performance levels if they play too often, but my plan was to make the most of each opportunity.
“There were 25 to 30 guys who were playing really well all season so I knew it would be close. I decided I wanted to try and play quality and a high quantity of golf to get as much as I could from this season.
“I tried to keep a positive mentality, telling myself I wasn’t tired, because I wanted to fight until the very end. But by the end of the season I was exhausted.
“It was such a relief not to have to go to Final Stage. I had previously been a first reserve for PGA Catalunya, and had twice lost in a play-off at Second Stage, so I was so relieved to earn a European Tour card through the Challenge Tour.”
The undoubted highlight of a memorable campaign for Perrier came in the Czech Republic in May, where he fired four rounds in the 60s, including a course record-equalling 62, to triumph at the D+D REAL Czech Challenge.
That victory was the Frenchman’s first on the Challenge Tour, and was made even more special by the fact he had his girlfriend Marina Rinaldi, also a professional golfer, by his side as his caddie that week.
“She was with me and we won my maiden victory together,” he said. “She has been so important for me this season, especially towards the end when I was very tired and she brought some positive vibes.”
