Life Winging It

The new MENA Tour champion intends continuing to criss-cross the globe in pursuit of a solid foothold on one of golf’s major tours

- KENT GRAY

VENMATHIAM KEYSER’S extremely well-travelled peers look at the South African’s hectic multi-tour, multi-continent schedule with awe. While others focus on one or possibly two circuits a season in a bid to make a living and slowly ascend golf’s international pecking order, the Dubai-domiciled 32-year-old hedged his bets last year by toiling away on the MENA, Asian and Challenge Tours. He even got a start on the European Tour, the ultimate destination, and intends adding the potentially lucrative Japan Tour to his travels in 2020. It’s a good thing that Keyser, who answers to MG – as in Mathiam Gerhard - doesn’t mind business travel, the decidedly unglamorous side of professional golf. Any idea how many air miles you accumulated last year, MG? “I don’t think there is a number for that but I do know Emirates should probably give me a platinum card,” he says with a laugh. What are we talking, 15, 20 flights? “I have no idea but it must be outrageous.” With a little more probing, Keyser settles for “well over 30” – 15 return flights from DXB to various Asian hubs, another five long haul journeys to Europe and too many shorter regional flights around both continents to remember.

“It’s definitely not easy as it’s an expensive lifestyle getting from point A to B but still, I’d rather do that than sit in an office 9-5,” Keyser continues. “‘Wow’ is the reaction of most people [when he rattles off his schedule] but I enjoy playing 30 weeks a year. I’m very lucky I can do this for a living so I’m enjoying it.

“This game gives you so much, the chance to meet people and make friends all over the world so definitely worth the investment. And you’re always only one week away from making it and changing your life.”