Tour pro Richard Mansell: "No competitive golf is absolutely gutting"

Rising English golf star Richard Mansell has revealed he is "gutted" to see his first full Challenge Tour season halted by the coronavirus outbreak but that he is going to use this unwanted break in the schedule to get his game "razor sharp" for when competition eventually resumes. 

Mansell, 24, gained his Challenge Tour card for 2020 following a second place finish on the PGA EuroPro Tour's Race to Desert Springs last year, highlighted by a victory at the COBRA PUMA Championship in July. 

The Beau Desert Club-attached player also picked up three top-10 finishes on the Challenge Tour in 2019, proving he already has what it takes to mix it with the future stars of the European Tour. 

Having worked tirelessly during the off-season to get his game ready for a first full crack at the Challenge Tour, and the European Tour should invites fall on his doormat, Mansell has been left frustrated like the rest of the golf industry with no competition going on. 

"It's absolutely gutting," said Mansell, who is now represented by Niall Horan's golf management company Modest Golf.  "We train so hard all winter and then suddenly we are no longer able to do our job.

"It's just a massive blow to all the Tours I get the chance to play on - the European Tour, Challenge Tour and PGA EuroPro Tour - in terms of losing sponsors from businesses going bust. 

"No play on Tour means no jobs or livelihoods for us players. It's tough for us, and it's tough for everyone else too because there is no entertainement for the fans."

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Tough times for the industry were reflected no greater yesterday than Mansell's beloved PGA EuroPro Tour forced into cancelling its entire 2020 season due to COVID-19. 

"It's heartbreaking for the PGA EuroPro Tour and all the players," said Mansell. 

"I absolutely loved my time on the PGA EuroPro Tour and I was still going to be playing on this circuit in 2020 due to several European Tour and Challenge Tour events being cancelled. 

"I don't think they had much of a choice though. I know full well that the decision was not an easy one as I know how much love Dan Godding and Matchroom have for the PGA EuroPro Tour. 

"For the players, it's tough to take, but as I say, there's just nothing we can do and it's in everyone's best interest as we look to quickly prevent the spread of coronavirus."

But just as Tiger Woods told the world earlier this week that "there are a lot more important things in life than a golf tournament right now", Mansell could not agree more.

"This break in the schedule is a shame for everyone involved in golf, but there is nothing we can do and we have to follow the guidelines that have been set for us all as we look to prevent the spread of coronavirus as quickly as possible," said Mansell. 

"It's difficult because it's a situation completely out of our control, and we need to focus on the bigger picture which is everyone's health. 

"Nobody in my family has been confirmed with the virus but I do worry about my dad as he has had health problems in the past. I am sure I am not the only one out there thinking this way."

Possessing a strong mentality when the going gets tough is key to everything in life, but especially in professional golf. 

Mansell has that in bundles, and he is going to be doing everything he can during this "self isolation" period to become an even stronger golfer when his name is next read out on the first tee. 

"I am very much taking things day by day," said Mansell.

"It's obviously not an ideal situation but everyone is going to be affected by this and we just have to get on with it and stay positive. 

"I want to be ready for when I get the chance to compete, as I know a lot of people will be dwelling on something that is out of our control.

"I want to have my game razor sharp for when competition starts again, and I am going to be working hard on my game during this unwanted break.

"We can still find ways to get better, so I am using this time to do just that."

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