'The hard times when you’re going through them, you learn loads about yourself' - Conor Purcell gunning to regain DP World Tour card
Conor Purcell is upbeat about 2026
Conor Purcell believes his head is “in a good spot” again and he can reproduce the form that saw him win twice on the HotelPlanner Tour in 2024 and win back his DP World Tour card.
After brilliantly graduating from the second-tier tour just 14 months ago, the Portmarnock star (28) had a tough rookie season on the main tour last year, making just 11 of 25 cuts to finish 150th in the Race to Dubai.
He’s made two of his first three cuts on the HotelPlanner Tour this term, and while he currently ranks 44th in the Road to Mallorca standings, he reckons he can repeat his 2024 form and win one of 15 DP World Tour cards awarded to the top 15 in the final standings.
“The game has been feeling good,” Purcell said ahead of the Jonsson Workwear Durban Open. “I feel like I’m getting back into the swing of things now, and hopefully we can post a good week out here.
“Last year, on the DP World Tour, didn’t go to plan. I didn’t play great and didn’t feel like I had any sort of game with me.
“I’ve got my head in a good spot again and looking to get myself in the top 15 again this year. A win or two would be nice, too.
“I’ve seen some positive signs in the first few weeks, where I haven’t been great but still managed to get it around and shoot a score. It’s a results business, and the score is all that matters.”
He admits it was tough going last season, but believes the experience will stand him in good stead.
“In golf, any experience, good or bad, is going to have a good impression on you,” he said at Durban Country Club, where he joins Liam Grehan, Gary Hurley, Liam Nolan and Max Kennedy, who is sixth in the standings after his runner-up finish in the NTT Data Pro-Am on Sunday.
“The hard times when you’re going through them, you learn loads about yourself and your game. I feel like I’m coming back stronger than before.
“I don’t think there’s a massive difference [on the DP World Tour] in standard, but there’s a lot of change, new places and new courses. For me, I find that hard. It’s a lot to get used to, and it can be hard to focus on the golf.
“I felt like I was chasing for the second half of the year, a little bit flustered and not having the results I wanted.
“My game wasn’t that far away, I just wasn’t performing the way I could, and the game didn’t show up when I needed it.”
As for this week, he said, “This week is a change from last week.
“It will be a different ball game this week. I’ve heard it’s a strong golf course and can be quite challenging off the fairway. It’s renowned for being one of the best out here, so I'm looking forward to playing it.”
