€100,000 Travel Headache for ‘Mr 57’ David Carey

David Carey, the 29-year-old Dubliner famously known for his astounding 11-under par 57 on the Alps Tour, now faces the most significant logistical and financial hurdle of his professional life. Gearing up for the 2026 season with his status secured on both the Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Tour Americas, Carey is confronted by the daunting reality of substantial expenses and extensive travel.

Currently in Las Vegas, he's planning a season that will span from the mountainous regions of the Andes to the core of North America. Despite his formidable ball speed reaching 198 mph, the most pressing figure for him is the $100,000 required to finance his upcoming tour.

"The entire season is estimated to cost around $100,000," Carey revealed. "My savings will be completely depleted. Much of that, I'll simply have to earn through victories."

The demanding schedule of the PGA Tour Americas, characterized by its challenging geographical spread, is the primary cause of these costs. Kicking off in Brazil in mid-April, the tour traverses six South American countries—such as Argentina, Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador—before moving on to the United States and culminating with eight tournaments in Canada. Traveling directly between events, without returning home, would cover an astonishing 28,830 km—nearly three-quarters of the Earth's circumference.

"One thing I've definitely realized is that the flights will be much longer than anticipated," Carey noted, acknowledging his prior underestimation of South America's vastness. He elaborated, "If you're returning to the U.S. during a break, it's roughly a 10 or 11-hour flight from Argentina. On a world map, it's easy to overlook that the distance from Florida to Argentina is greater than from Dublin to Florida."

With limited breaks, typically less than a week, returning to Ireland is both financially burdensome and physically exhausting. To manage expenses and sustain the tour, Carey's partner, Kaitlyn, will serve as his caddie for most of the season, albeit with a lighter bag. "She drew the line there," Carey quipped, "She said no tour bag!"

Carey stands out among the Irish golfers striving to advance beyond lower-tier tours. Last December, he reached the Final Stage of PGA TOUR Q-School, arriving at TPC Sawgrass with aspirations of securing one of the five coveted PGA Tour cards. However, his plans were thwarted by the challenging Bermuda grass greens, a problem he is now actively addressing.

"My short game was a real struggle that week," he recalled. "I've always had a fluctuating relationship with Bermuda greens; regrettably, that was a 'hate week' rather than a 'love week.'" He began with a disappointing round of 77, largely due to a quadruple-bogey eight on his ninth hole (the 18th at Dye’s Valley), which effectively dashed his hopes for a top-five finish before the weekend even started.

"The grain on the greens can really play with your mind," he explained. "You start second-guessing your reads. It was simply one of those weeks where things didn't go right." Post-tournament, Carey analyzed his performance data using a Quintic system, revealing that his putter's launch angle was too low, leading to off-line bounces on grainy greens. He aims to rectify this long-standing issue on American courses by adjusting his putter's loft slightly.

Despite these challenges, Carey is still considered one of Ireland's most dynamic golf talents. Prior to his efforts in PGA Tour Monday qualifiers, which saw him successfully gain entry into events like the Valero Texas Open and RBC Canadian Open, he garnered international attention for his sensational round of 57 in Italy. In 2019, during the Cervino Open, Carey achieved 11 birdies on a par-68 course situated 2,000 meters high in the Italian Alps. His round of 57 stands as the lowest score ever recorded in the history of the Alps Tour. "I've definitely had worse days," he famously quipped following that round. In 2022, he qualified for and successfully made the cut at The 150th Open held at St Andrews.

As he prepares for the new season, Carey is perfecting a distinctive strategy. While renowned for his immense power, he has recognized that a 198 mph ball speed isn't always advantageous. To contend with narrow fairways and prevent costly "big numbers," he employs a unique two-driver setup. "One driver has 8 degrees of loft and is 45 inches long, while the other is 12 degrees with a 43-inch shaft," he detailed. Regarding his driver speed training, he commented, "I haven't focused extensively on speed work in recent months. However, during a session in Vegas, I reached 198 mph ball speed, proving I still have that capability if required."

"Generally, though, I aim for ball speeds in the high 180s to 190s. This range appears most effective, as higher speeds often lead to increased dispersion." He added, "On many holes, where fairways narrow and bunkers are strategically positioned, hitting the ball 320 yards in the air usually clears most hazards. Beyond that distance, whether you have 100 or 80 yards left to the pin makes little significant difference."

With the season commencing in Brazil in April, Carey is currently in the U.S., preparing to begin by Monday Qualifying for the PGA TOUR's Valspar Championship. His Korn Ferry Tour status grants him direct entry to the final qualifier, bypassing the pre-qualifying stage. His objective is straightforward: achieve a strong start, earn prize money, and ease the financial burden of the $100,000 travel expenses.

"It will involve a significant amount of time away from home," Carey stated, noting that his Korn Ferry Tour status also provides him access to PGA TOUR's TPC courses for practice. "However, like any profession, being a touring golfer comes with its own challenges. All in all, there are far worse ways to spend your time than traveling the world playing golf."