Like thousands of professional golfers worldwide, Bandar Malaysia Open champion Trevor Simsby is waiting out the Covid-19 pandemic that has seen the suspensions of tour events worldwide.
With the next two months devoid of any events due to cancellations and postponements, Simsby is now back home in San Diego, California, to ride out the storm. The lanky American noted that he plans to return to Asia once the season resumes and push for the Asian Tour Order of Merit title.
“My plans are on standby right now but I definitely plan on returning to play the rest of the Asian Tour season and push for the Order of Merit title,” said the 27-year-old, who is currently in second place on the Order of Merit thanks to the US$180,000 cheque he received for his breakthrough win at Kota Permai a week and a half ago.
Simsby was actually based in Kuala Lumpur for the last few months before his Bandar Malaysia Open win, at his manager Justin Caines’ apartment in Ara Damansara.
“Right now, I’m not sure where I’ll be based when I return. I’m in close contact with my manager and we’re looking at a few options,” he said.
Whatever happens for the rest of the year – indeed for the rest of his career – Simsby will always remember his dramatic playoff victory at Kota Permai as a life-changing moment.
“The Bandar Malaysia Open victory is definitely a life-changer for me. I’ve been grinding away for five years playing professional golf with some high moments and a lot of low moments. It’s incredible to finally pull through in an event as big as the Malaysian Open,” said Simsby, who turned professional at the end of 2014 and played on the Web.Com Tour (now known as the Korn Ferry Tour) in 2015 but failed to keep his card for the following season.
“I’ve done a little bit of everything. I’ve played a little bit in Canada and South America as well. I worked at a golf course for a little while too,” he recalled.
As the 55th Malaysian Open champion, Simsby has entered a new phase in his career … well, at least once the season resumes!
