Toomey reaches top of rankings

Hamilton golfer Luke Toomey is New Zealand’s leading amateur after a breathtaking 11 under par 61 at the New Zealand Amateurs last week.

The 20-year-old Lochiel-based golfer has been playing the sport since the age of four and aims to one day become world number one.

He hopes to have caught the eye of New Zealand selectors after being one of the stand-out players at the Manawatu Golf Club last week.

He now sits first on the Order of Merit table, a player ranking based on a points system allocated to tournaments.

“One of my goals before turning pro is to lead the Order of Merit two years in a row, so this is a nice way to start. If I can end up at the top of that leaderboard at the end of the season, I’ll be very happy,” said Toomey.

He believes he is performing at his best since becoming a full-time golfer in January 2012 thanks to the team of people he surrounds himself with.

Toomey’s life consists of competing in tournaments, training with his coach, mentally preparing himself with his psychologist or being kept in form by his physiotherapist.

He works part time as a maths and English tutor, and travel-wise, is supported by his mother being an Air New Zealand stewardess.

Sport psychologist David Galbraith assists Toomey in gaining a mental edge over his competitors who are at a similar golfing ability.

Also part of Toomey’s team is his coach Glenn Millin from ProDrive Golf, Michelle Garett from Advance Physiotherapy and his sponsor Titleist.

Toomey’s form this year comes as no surprise to Millin who has coached him full time since January 2012.

“Luke has reached a new level and will only kick on from here. He is very professional the way he conducts himself on and off the course. He works harder than anyone else and has learnt to understand what works for him. There’s no weakness in his game,” said Millin.

Toomey will play in the Muriwai Open next week, the third of the Charles Tour events alongside some of New Zealand’s best golfers.