Final Shot with Mike Kerr

The CEO of the Asian Tour talks to Alex Jenkins about his introduction to the game at the age of five, his love of the links at Royal Portrush and who would make his dream fourball

 Asian Tour CEO Mike Kerr

When did you start playing - and where?

I started playing golf at the tender age of five. My parents were the ones who got me started in the game back home in Ireland. When I first started, I had to learn both right-hand and left-hand golf. My father is a left-handed golfer and my mother is right-handed. I used to play very regularly and I obtained my single handicap about five years ago.

How often do you play?

I haven’t been playing enough lately, due to the lack of time. I used to play once a week before joining the Asian Tour in March, 2012.

What’s been your best ever round?

My best round of golf was at the Laguna National Golf and Country Club in Singapore where I scored a two-over-par 74 at the Masters course. That happened just before I joined the Asian Tour.

Do you have a favourite course?

My favourite golf course is at the Royal Portrush Golf Club back in Northern Ireland. It has two links courses and that’s what I grew up with.

Best tournament you’ve ever witnessed?

The best tournament that I have witnessed recently is definitely the inaugural EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM which took place in Malaysia at the end of March. It was a great event which showcased team golf at its best, especially with Europe taking a strong lead but the Asian Team making a fantastic comeback on the final day to tie the match.

The other tournament would be the Ryder Cup in 2006 where the European Team won. Darren Clarke, one of my childhood heroes, was the one who made the biggest contribution to Europe’s win at The K Club in Ireland back then.

Who would be in your dream fourball?

Darren Clarke because he is one of my childhood heroes, Seve Ballesteros, one of the best players around who belongs to my generation and David Feherty, simply because I think he would be the most fun person to play with. David used to be a professional golfer from Northern Ireland. He is a golf commentator now.

The Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland

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