David Carey exclusive on playing in the RBC Canadian Open
David Carey is a professional golfer that is from Dublin, Ireland. Carey first came on the radar in the Irish golfing scene after shooting a final round of 57 to win the Alps Tour Cervino Open. The 26 year old has taken a lot of notice especially achieving 197 ball speed and hits his drives an average of 310 yards. Carey is only starting out his career as a professional golfer as he is currently 1100th in the overall world golf rankings.
The Dubliner played in his first major at 150th The Open in St Andrews after qualifying for the event. It was remarkable that Carey made it through to the weekend at The Open in St Andrews and playing in this major helped raised Carey’s profile as a golfer. “Yeah I think so it certainly got me more media coverage than I ever had before”. Carey shot a final round of one over to finish in a tie for 62nd at 150th The Open. “The crowds were amazing all week I have never seen that many people on a golf course before”. Participating at The Open gave Carey the opportunity to play in a couple of DP World Tour events in 2022 at the Omega European Masters, Czech Masters and Open de Espana.
Carey remarkably qualified for the Valero Texas Open in April 2023. “It was nice to see some of the signs of progress with the pre qualifier shooting eight under then seven under in the qualifier itself to win both was definitely a confidence booster”. The Dubliner had a great second round of 67 to make the cut at the Valero Texas Open but shot two rounds of 73 over the weekend. “The week didn’t go the way I wanted but definitely take the positives and try build on that”. Carey got a great opportunity to play in two great events at both The Open and Valero Texas Open through qualifying for both events.
The qualifier for the RBC Canadian Open was played at Oakdale Golf and Country Club on Sunday 4th of June 2023. Four spots were up for grabs and Carey entered a play-off after holing a 17 foot putt. “Yeah for sure I didn’t do it the easy way as the club that I planned to hit in the play-off broke”. Carey was forced to hit driver in the play-off and that didn’t go to plan as his ball ended up in a bush. ”I had to take an unplayable from there which resulted in dropping behind a tree which ended up on the green”.
Carey set up a 25 foot putt for a par after his third shot reached the green in the play-off to qualify for this week’s Canadian Open. “I had the exact same putt that I made earlier which was a little bit longer and I knew the break, I managed to hole it again”. The holed putt resulted in Carey qualifying for his second PGA Tour event and the Dubliner went out on Monday and walked the course. “I went out and walked the course to get a feel for it and see what I will be facing”. The Dubliner will be looking to continue his good form which saw him achieve a cut at Valero Texas Open. “I’m going to go out there and try produce some of the golf that I had so far this year”.
With the qualifier been on Sunday rather than Monday Carey hopes the extra day recovery will work in his favour this week. “I think I should have enough time to recover before Thursday”. Carey is delighted that his club is ready to go for the Canadian Open. “Thankfully I got my broken club fixed”.
Carey’s goal is to achieve qualification for The 151st Open in July 2023. “Yeah I really would like to play again and have another go at it”. If Carey makes it to Royal Liverpool he would love to finish higher than his tie 62nd in 2022. “It would be nice to go back to see if I can improve on last year”. The Dubliner ambition is try achieve a win in 2023. “I can pick up a win or a good result somewhere whatever event or tour that ends up been in”.
It was an absolute pleasure to sit down with David Carey and wish him all the best in his career as a professional golfer especially at the RBC Canadian Open this weekend.