HyFlyers GC's Ogletree grateful for Asian Tour's pathways to majors

His Open Championship debut may not have ended in the blaze of glory he had wished for, but HyFlyers GC's Andy Ogletree will not soon forget the experience.

Feeling the effects of a niggling wrist injury that may require surgery, the American signed off at Royal Troon with a 6-over 77.

Following a second-round 72 to make the cut, the reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion’s designs on a weekend charge in the 152nd edition of the world’s oldest championship were blown off course at the windswept Ayrshire links.

However, the opportunity to feel the heat of a major championship alongside the world’s best players that came courtesy of his Asian Tour success in 2023 was not lost on the three-time International Series winner.

“The Asian Tour is what allowed me to play in tournaments like this, and also the PGA Championship earlier this year," Ogletree said. "To have access to major championships was awesome for me and I’m forever grateful for what the Asian Tour has done for me – for helping me being able to build my game and have somewhere to play.

“I think you’re going to see a lot more guys taking that pathway as it offers access to major championships and LIV Golf. The Asian Tour is a great tour to play on. I’m definitely encouraging all my buddies to go there to play.”

Although he has yet to finalize his plans for the final five months of the year, Ogletree is keen to defend his International Series titles in England (Aug. 8-11) and Qatar (Nov. 27-30).

“We’ll see how it works out, but I hope to play in Asia and play as much as possible,” said Ogletree, provided the injury he’s been nursing doesn't worsen. “For the wrist, I’ve been battling it all year. I have a bone spur, lots of tendinitis. I think it can be easily cleaned up … it’s just that right now, in the middle of the season, I’m not at a point where I can’t play.

“But it definitely bothers me and gives me a lot of discomfort and swelling. But I have to deal with that. In an ideal world it would just go away but it’s structural. It’s a pain management issue and keeping the inflammation down.”

As for links golf, Ogletree can’t wait for his next Open appearance.

“I love playing in the wind, hitting different shot shapes and working it against the wind and using the contours to your advantage,” Ogletree said. “There are parts of the rough that are playable and there’s other parts of the rough that you can’t really advance the ball more than 20 or 30 yards. So you have to get a little lucky if you don’t hit the fairways."

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