Tom the Giant Killer - the kid who came out of nowhere to beat the top European Tour Pros in a grand Winner Takes All face-off. The young budding golfstar from Fulwell talks about his strategy on taking on the big boys, and how he almost quit his dream profession before the event.

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I came here with nothing - now my life and career has changed in one day 

Background
Age: 25
 Home club: Fulwell
Caddy: Stewart Crombie
History: First time in the TT

Congratulations Tom! You took on the top European Tour Professionals players to win the Trilby Tour. What a day and what a result - tell us what's running through your mind
It has been fantastic and surreal. The Trilby Tour is my first win since I turned professional over two years ago. I never thought I would get to this stage - to even get into contention in such a big event on such big stage and to come through it all is massive to me.

It was so surreal the way it all of a sudden came together on just one day. It was the best day of my career without a doubt.

It was unbelievable to play against Phil Archer and Phil Golding and to come out on top. Some people complained about them being in the field but I had the opposite mentality - my theory was 'Wouldn't it be a great achievement to play against them and beat them.' And then all of a sudden I'm in the playoff with them and I did beat them!

It was unbelievable to play against two seasoned European Tour pros (Phil Archer and Phil Golding) and come out on top. 

Where is your trophy now?
In the living room right next to the TV and my golfbag. I put it right somewhere I can see it every day. It's beautiful - I literally look at it all the time.

What made you decide to enter?
At the start of the year I thought I would invest in an event that would give me the most reward. I caddied in the first Trilby Tour at Stoke Park for my boss (head golf pro Stephen Gibson at Wentworth) carrying the bag. At the time I was an amateur and didn't know if I was going to turn pro or not but I soaked up the atmosphere and thought it was really impressive.

How do you feel about your performance on the day?
I was happy with the way I chipped and putted all day. I holed a chip on the 16th hole on the qualifying round. It was a realy tough shot but I think that boosted me and I finished on sixty-nine points.

In my interview with Sky I said I'd be happy to get into the pinhole playoff, so I sat in the clubhouse for four hours waiting to see what would happen. I was really nervous but the golf I played in the playoff was fantastic. The putting was key to the win - it got hot at the right time and I putted great.

I was the underdog so there was no pressure on me. But if I'm honest I did really want to beat them.

In the fourth playoff hole I got three birdies. There were a lot of crowds there and I had a camera in my face - now that kind of stuff I wasn't used to. It was a bit of a foreign situation. My putting was fantastic - and that had been my weak point for the year. I holed 2 great putts on the 18th hole and then holed a 43 footer to win the tournament - it was a great way to win my first tournament.

It was a great way to win my first tournament

Did the cameras bother you at all?
Not really - my whole philosophy on the day was that this is fun.  I didn't have any expectations and was just happy to be in the play-off. Not worrying about the result helped me to just get on and play the game.

I was the underdog - out of the four guys I was the highest odd player to win the playoff so there was no pressure on me.

I also had a good matchplay record as an amateur so that put me in good stead. But actually if I'm honest I did really want to beat them.

Not worrying about the result helped me to just get on and play the game

What was it like playing against Phil Golding and Phil Archer?
I felt a bit intimidated by their experience and presence. But then Phil Archer made a bogie on the 3rd playoff hole which I was suprised to see but lucky enough not to have followed.

My mate and caddy Stewart Crombie helped me out a lot. I got nervous at the first playoff hole and hit a bad tee shot. He told me to take some deep breaths and slow my walking down which was great advice and then I went on to make a birdie on the first hole.

I'm going to use the prize money to clear my credit card and the rest of it will go in a tournament account and all I need to get ahead as a pro.

You've won £10,000, an equipment contract with Callaway and a clothing contract with William Hunt. How will you spend the prize money?
The prize money is brilliant - it's a big boost and will go on my progression to the main tour.It got to the point where it was difficult to see where the next fee was going to come from.

I've played professional golf without a sponsor for two years and it's an expensive business. I currently work two jobs to make ends meet- I work in a payroll office during the winter and I caddy at Wentworth in between tournaments.

The prize money is brilliant - it's a big boost and will go on my progression to the main tour.

I'm going to use the prize money to clear my credit card and the rest of it will go in a tournament account to spend on flights, accommodation and entry fees and all I need to get ahead as a pro.

What made you take up golf?
It was seeing Tiger Woods win the 1997 US Master -  I was eleven at the time and thought golf looked really cool. Then me and my friends from school would all go out and play together. I joined my local club Fulwell straight away as a junior member played it throughout school. I turned pro when I was 22.

I want to be amongst the top fifty players in the world and a Ryder Cup Player.

When did you realise you wanted to turn professional?
When I was 21 I finished my job at Wentworth and went backpacking around Australia. I had a good time but realized that I really missed golf. When I came home I decided I wanted to play golf professionally.

I'm a competitive guy by nature and I needed something in my life that was competitive. Since turning pro I've learnt some harder lessons because now I'm playing for money. It's not just a handicap alteration - the lessons are more painful, especially when it's coming out of your own pocket. 

If you weren't doing this what would you be instead?
That's a difficult question because the last five years of my life have revolved around golf. I'm a real golf nut - I want to be successful playing professional golf, it's the only thing I've ever wanted to do.

Playing professional golf is the only thing I've ever wanted to do

Unlike most tournaments the Trilby Tour takes place in one day - how does that affect you as a player?
I've played in lots of competitions and events all over the world but the Trilby Tour is very unique.

It's a Winner Takes All one day event - and for someone like me who was struggling it could not have been better. All of a sudden my life and career has changed in one day.

My motto? Go confidently in the direction of your dreams and live the life you've imagined.

Do you have a habit or routine before a big game?
I played at the Bucks a month before the tournament and we played 18 holes for money. Playing for money is a great way to prepare - you're acting how the actual moment is going to go so it's simulating the actual tournament.

What advice have you got for any upcoming Amateurs?
Just take each shot as it comes - don't think too far ahead of yourself so it doesn't distract you from the moment. That gives you a chance to hit each shot to the best of your ability.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement so far?
Winning the Trilby Tour.  I was almost thinking about finishing this year as it was getting too hard. It's a career I love but I didn't have enough money and my form was suffering. 

I was almost thinking about finishing this year as it was getting too hard

I came here with nothing and thought - let's just try and go for this and see what happens.  It has truly been a life-changing day for me.

Winning the Trilby Tour has been the best day of my career without a doubt

What's your motto in life?
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams and live the life you've imagined.

Who's your golf hero or inspiration?
Ben Hogan - he's an old pro who died in '97. I read his biography and it's one of the best books I've ever read along with Tiger Woods. Another inspiration is Johnny Wilkinson as I'm a big rugby fan. I'm inspired by his work ethic. I'm a hardworking guy and so is he. We share the same philosophy - he's a perfectionist and can't leave something until it's done and I'm the same.

My aim is to continue winning tournaments and obtain sponsorship.

Where do you go from here?
In November I'm going to the Alps Qualifying school to try and qualify for the Alps tours. But in general over the next 12 months my aim is to continue winning tournaments and hopefully obtain sponsorship.

Where do you see yourself in ten years time?
To be amongst the top 50 players in the world and a Ryder Cup player

What's been your overall experience of the Tour?
It is very well organized and you are so well looked after. The fact is it has everything that gives you a feel of what a real European event is like. The TV cameras, the Euro Tour pro players - it gives you the experience of your ultimate career goal which is invaluable for a young and upcoming golfer.

As a young pro why wouldn't you want to play in the Trilby Tour? It's the biggest investment you can make. Not only do you get prize money but you get helped with equipment and clothing. It's a big reward for a small investment.

What's great about the Trilby Tour is that it gives someone like me a taste of what being a tour pro is like. Not only did I win but I also got the experience of playing in a big event

Any last words for William?
Thank for being so nice to me - I'm absolutely thrilled with the win.

www.tomreidgolf.com

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