PGA Tour in USA remains main target for Leeds’ Joe Heraty as play resumes
The traditional step for a young Yorkshire golfer on the journey to joining the elite would be through the EuroPro Tour, the Challenge Tour and then on to the European Tour.
But Joe Heraty of Leeds is not your traditional young man.
For the 27-year-old Moor Allerton member has taken a different path, one that has taken in the Middle East and China, and which he hopes one day will see him land on the PGA Tour in America.
Upon turning professional in September, 2014, Heraty – the former Leeds Union and Yorkshire player – went straight to Dubai to compete on the MENA Tour in the Middle East and North Africa.
For four years he spent his winters there, before in 2019 moving to China to play on one of the US PGA Tour’s satellite circuits.
“I decided to take that route because I already had a few mates playing over there and there’s a lot of Americans on the tour,” said Heraty.
“It was a huge culture shock at first but I’m getting used to it. It’s something I’ve got to do if I want to get to America.”
He was out in the Far East in the late winter when the coronavirus pandemic took hold, but was able to get back to his West Yorkshire home before lockdown.
It meant Heraty was able to play in the 2020protour event at Cleckheaton on Monday, shooting a 71.
“It was nice to be back playing competitive golf again,” he said.