Golffari Kalle Samooja played an incredible round and secured the European Tour victory. Samooja, who has often been close to victory, has taken his own route to the top and he also dares to become sensitive.
Kalle Samoojan A pretty great performance on the European tour was welcomed in Finnish golf circles.
– “Pretty great performance” is thus a little underestimation as a golfer. The first win of the European tour and a place in the US Open is certainly not an everyday occurrence in Finnish golf, Samooja’s long-time coach Mika Piltz says.
Samoa played an incredible final round on Sunday in Hamburg, Germany. He set a field record with a score of -8. The victory of the competition came with an overall result of -6.
– It’s in it and whether you can see such performances even on the training ground. Kalle wasn’t at the sharpest point during the race, but then he ended up with such a sloping perfect lap.
An iron professional who appreciates those close to him
Both Piltz and the golf coach Petteri Nykyn according to Samoa is an iron professional. The background is hard workout and a “pretty good” routine.
According to them, Samoa has been very close to big victories for a few years now. Now that finally came.
– An insanely important victory that gives faith and confidence in the way Kalle promotes his professional career, Nykky glows.
The victory of Samoa has caught up with the little one twice. In 2019, on a European tour in Switzerland, he was on a rematch. A year later, Samoa played a repeat hole in Cyprus.
On both occasions, the victory escaped. In Cyprus, it was one stroke away.
Prior to these adversities, Samoa had played as an amateur and represented the Finnish national team. Between 2008 and 2014, Samooja applied for a European tour five times through qualifiers. When there was no success, he embarked on an Asian tour.
Asia also had a slightly bitter taste when Samoa ranked twice in the top ten. In 2016, Samoa participated in the men’s second level challenger tour, the Challenge Tour, where the results began to come.
The breakthrough came with a race won in China in 2018. It secured a place for Samoa on a European tour.
– Kalle’s daily work ethic is top notch. That’s why I’m really happy for Kalle that the victory of the European tour came because I know how much this meant to him, Piltz says.
Both Piltz and Jykky emphasize that Samoan is a person who values his own close circle, especially the role of the family. After winning a race in Germany, Samoa thanked his wife.
You can watch Samooja’s winning interview from the tweet below:
Win a European tour and a seat to the US Open
In addition to entering the US Open, Samoa received a large prize money of € 297,500 for winning the German competition. According to Petteri Nyky, this is an important amount to advance your career; now there is peace of mind for a long time.
– People and the media must have wondered how much money came from the profit, but I know that Kalle is not interested in money, but in his athletic success, Mika Piltz assures.
That success secured a place in the US Open, one of four men’s major tournaments starting on Thursday, June 16th.
In the tournament, Samoa plays four rounds in tough company. There are several top names on the world list, such as Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm and Dustin Johnson. What can be expected from that tournament?
– Really difficult field, that’s for sure. Kalle is a really strong brick on the green, so surprises may be in store, Piltz says.
– Always difficult games. A little different game. At the US Open, raffia is often made really bad and you have to be really, really patient, Nykky says.
Patient Samoan has been. Samoan is no “golf promise,” but in today’s words, a 34-year-old dude.
Nykky and Piltz are really pleased with the visibility that Samoa has brought to Finnish golf.
Another example for young people. An example that cares about its loved ones and dares to become sensitive. An example that works hard from day to day and goes through adversity to victory.
– It is good for young athletes to take the model that anything is possible when the daily work is high enough, Piltz sums up.