In the swirling winds of change on the golf circuit, Will Hopkins is standing at the tee, ready to drive into the professional realm.
This Lincolnshire lad, who honed his game at Belton Park, isn’t just moving up the ranks—he’s got a ticket to ride on the Challenge Tour, the gateway to the big league: the DP World Tour.
After securing a commendable 10th spot in the Global Amateur Pathway Rankings of 2024, Hopkins is all set to swing at the bigger stages.
Now, here’s a lad who’s no stranger to the winner’s podium, clinching this year’s Lytham Trophy and wearing the England jersey with pride at the European Team Championships, Home Internationals, and that intense May match against the French.
The transition from amateur prodigy to pro hopeful is a leap many dream of but few master, and Hopkins is keen to thread that needle with the finesse of a seasoned tailor.
Chatting about his green days, Hopkins shares his original sentiments: “It has been an honour to be a part of the England Men’s Squad.
My golf game has undoubtedly gone up a level and that couldn’t have happened without the resources England Golf have provided for me.
Some of the fondest memories in my career have occurred over the past 12 months whilst wearing an England shirt and I’ll cherish them for a long time.”
This golfer is not just about swinging clubs and chasing birdies; he’s a chap full of thanks.
“I want to say a big thank you to everyone at England Golf for their support and aid over the last 12 months.
As a player, we’re given everything we need to be successful which is all you can ask for,” he reflects, gratitude ringing in his voice.
As the calendar flips, Hopkins eyes his professional debut with the zeal of a squire stepping into knighthood.
“I am excited to use all that I’ve learned through my amateur career and refining it to hopefully have a long and successful career as a professional,” he states, looking towards the future.
Charting New Greens
The step up to professional status puts Hopkins in a growing line of England’s golf talents like James Claridge, Zach Chegwidden, and Charlie Crockett—all lads who’ve taken the professional plunge earlier this year.
Nigel Edwards, the Performance Director at England Golf, can barely contain his pride. “Will really progressed during the last year, having won the Lytham Trophy, finished 3rd at the European Nations Cup at Sotogrande, 4th at the Master of the Amateurs in Australia, 7th at the St Andrews Links Trophy, and qualifying for the match play stages of the British Amateur Championship,” Edwards notes.
“He has been a role model for some of the younger members of our England Squads and he should be very proud of what he has achieved over the past year, both individually and as part of the England Team, and we wish him every success in his professional career.”
As Will Hopkins sets his sights on the fairways of the Challenge Tour, it’s clear he’s not just playing the game—he’s living it.
And as he tees up for his first professional year, those of us watching might just be witnessing the rise of golf’s next big sensation.
