Purcell joins Wasserman; Leona Maguire confirms LPGA starts

Conor Purcell. Picture: MGA

Portmarnock star Conor Purcell has joined the same management stable as Rickie Fowler and Bernd Wiesberger ahead of next week’s South African Open in Johannesburg.

The Dubliner (22) has been snapped up by global giants Wasserman, whose worldwide stable already includes the likes of Andy Sullivan and major winners Jason Day and Zach Johnson. 

Winner of the Australian Amateur Championship last year, Purcell went on to make the Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup team before turning professional last December.

He tied for 29th on his debut in the AVJennings NSW Open but missed the cut in the Emirates Australian Open.

However, he will have a chance to shine on the European Tour next week after receiving a sponsor’s invitation to join fellow Dubliner Gavin Moynihan and Clandeboye’s Jonathan Caldwell in the South African Open at Randpark Golf Club in Johannesburg.

Winner of the South of Ireland title in 2016, Purcell will head from South Africa to the Middle East to attempt to qualify for the Omega Dubai Desert Classic before teeing up in in the MENA Tour Qualifying School in Jordan.

Next week’s South African Open clashes with the Asian Tour’s rescheduled Hong Kong Open where Open champion Shane Lowry will make his first appearance of 2020 alongside US Ryder Cup star Tony Finau.

Meanwhile, Leona Maguire has confirmed that she will make her first appearance as an LPGA Tour player in the $2 million Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio in Florida from January 23-26.

The US women’s tour then moves to Australia where the Co Cavan star will tee it up in the ISPS Handa Vic Open at 13th Beach Golf Links from February 6-9 and the following week’s ISPS Handa Australian Open at Grange.