Thanks for the memories

Never mind the cash, tot up the memories. That was Mark Hooper’s reaction after claiming the most lucrative prize of his career by finishing tied 38^th in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

That final round of three-over left the 30-year-old PGA pro from the Rayleigh Club, Essex, on level par for the tournament and around €30,000 richer.

It’s unlikely, however, that no amount of money could buy him the treasure trove of memories he has accumulated over four negotiations of Wentworth’s West Course.

Not least spending the last one playing alongside the reigning US Open champion, Justin Rose.

“I’m spoiled for choice when it comes to singling out my over-riding memory,” said Hooper, the whoops of ‘Hoops’ from his posse of followers still ringing in his ears after completing his round with successive pars.

“Playing with Justin was one. It’s been a dream of mine to play with him and he’s such a nice guy as well. It was a superb day.

“And the crowd were so cool as well. The people following me made it so much fun.”

Fun, however, looked the last item on the agenda as Hooper posted bogeys on three of the first four holes.

“There was a little bit of added pressure today, playing with Justin,” Hooper admitted. “And I guess I measured my round against his – I thought if I could do half decently against him, I’d have a good round.”

In the event, Hooper recovered from his inauspicious start, posting two birdies before the turn and almost matching his illustrious partner.

“We were one shot apart through 13,” Hooper continued, “but he birdied 14 and then I had two bogeys, which were poor really. I was in the middle of the fairway but lipped out for the par on the 15th. Then on 16, I over-hit my approach and then missed the putt after I’d escaped from the bunker.

“But it was good to finish par, par, especially as I’d struggled on the 17^th all week – to end on level par in this tournament is great. If someone had offered me level par at the start of the week I would have taken it.”

Now, come the end of the week, it’s back to reality for Hooper.

“I’ve got a day off tomorrow,” he said. “Then I’ve got a full diary, pretty much on Tuesday. It’s going to be a bit strange going back and teaching so soon after this.

“But I enjoy doing that as well and no, I’m not going to put my prices up after this! I guess I’ll have plenty to tell them, though – such as playing with Justin today, some of the things we talked about and the advice he was giving.”

Despite enjoying his lot as a PGA pro at the Rayleigh Club, Hooper’s ambition to play on tour has been fuelled by the last four days. That ambition, however, is tempered by a dose of realism.

“I’ve still got ambition to play on Tour but I haven’t got sponsorship,” he admitted. “I’m getting a little bit of help from a couple of guys but to go touring you really need backing – we’ll see what happens.

“Hopefully some doors will open on the back of this and my performance earns me some invitations for some other events.”

When it comes to opening doors, Thomas Bjorn threw one wide open to let Rory McIlroy through and end a week that had begun with his personal life in turmoil on a professional high.

Seven adrift of Bjorn at the start of the round, the newly-single Ulsterman showed the single-mindedness of a champion to claim victory by one stroke and become the first player from Northern Ireland to win the tournament.