Home Comforts For Whitelock - 18/12/2007

ROSS WHITELOCK enters this week's China Fleet International Open confident of making the cut for just the third time in his fledgling career.

The 24-year-old from Plymouth is in his first year as a professional on the PGA EuroPro Tour, and has made steady progress to date.

He has made the cut at both The PokerMillion.Com Championship and The Doncaster Open, and will play in his 12th tournament this week.

The PGA EuroPro Tour's return to China Fleet sees Whitelock have perhaps the shortest journey of any player in the field, merely crossing the Tamar Bridge from his native Plymouth.

And Whitelock, who represents the nearby Staddon Heights GC, will hope that his inside knowledge of the China Fleet course can help him to a maiden PGA EuroPro Tour win.

"I grew up playing on a course around ten miles away and as a junior we used to play against China Fleet, so I've had plenty of experience there," he said.

"The last time I played there was 12 months ago, as an amateur in the Pro-Am when PGA EuroPro Tour was last at China Fleet.

"I've probably played there between 20 and 25 times in total, so it will hopefully give me an advantage. The more you know about the course the better, but you've still got to get the ball in the hole.

"The other players will all get a practice too or play in the Pro-Am, but it will be good for me to have a round ahead of the tournament."

Whitelock turned professional at the start of 2005, coming through the Sky Sports Qualifying School, and he is pleased with his progress during his first year.

"I've enjoyed the year so far," he added. "I've only made the cut twice, but there are a few other times when I've been a couple of shots out and paid for a bad hole here and there.

"But it was always going to be a learning curve for me this year and the standard on the tour is good.

"I'll go to the European Tour Qualifying School in September but if I don't manage to take that step straight away I'll hopefully be back on the tour next year a better and more experienced player."

The 2004 China Fleet International Open was won by Sam Pigott, who will also be among the 156 competitors at the Saltash course on Wednesday.