First tournament, first victory. The East Coast Pro Tour (ECPT) season has just begun and Thomas Giroux is already winning.
The Ontario native of Georgetown, a small town near Toronto, won his first professional title last week at the Quinte Classic in Belleville, Ont., in the first tournament on the ECPT calendar.
Giroux will have needed the extension to take top honors and deserve the sublime trophy, strongly inspired by the image of Black Bear Ridge Golf and Resort.
“It was a long par 5. I hit the ball about 265 yards. I took my 3 wood and I put it on the green at 80 feet, and I made two putts for the birdie, ”he said on the phone barely two hours before teeing off at the Niagara Championship, second tournament of the season.
The 24-year-old golfer started the round one shot late. “I played very well, I hit the ball well, but I ripped it off a bit on the greens. »
Precisely, thanks to a precise set of irons, he managed to catch up and join his Ontario compatriot Sudurshan Yellamajaru in overtime, with a card of -7.
“I was obviously nervous,” he admits afterwards. He was still in position to win his first career title.
More confidence
Now that he has succeeded and is at the top of the Golf In Cup in the general classification, he can breathe a little.
“It solidifies my assumptions. I knew I had what it took, but winning confirms that. Of course, the scholarship also helps me financially,” recognizes Giroux. Thanks to this victory, he was able to receive a check for $6,000.
The win also earns him a bye to the final qualifying round of the RBC Canadian Open near his home in Toronto in June.
The University of Oakland alum feels the perception of other golfers has changed somewhat since he arrived in Niagara.
“I may be more recognized, but I’ve also had good results in the past, so people were already starting to know me, but that puts a bigger target on my back for the coming season, or less more attention. »
Coming from a family of golfers, Giroux daydreams since he left university: “It has always been my dream to become a professional golfer, I have always had that in mind and it has always remained my motivation. »
The right-hander was introduced to golf at the age of 3. “My dad taught me and growing up my goal was always to beat my big brother. It’s thanks to him that I improved, just because as a younger brother, you always want to beat your big brother. »
Niagara’s course is similar to that of Belleville and Giroux hopes to be able to maintain its momentum, in order to consolidate its lead.