Lionel Weber finished tied seventh in his first ever professional tournament at the Zaykabar Myanmar Open presented by Alpine last month. The highly rated Frenchman turned professional after earning his Asian Tour card in the Qualifying School held in Thailand earlier this year and is tipped to shine in his rookie year.
Read on and find out more about Weber as he talks about his debut and life in Asia.
Q. What made you want to play on the Asian Tour?
A. I think it is the perfect Tour for me to build up my professional golf career. My friend Marco, who has been caddying for me, told me that Asia is fantastic and asked me to try out the Asian Tour Qualifying School.
Q.How was your experience playing at your first ever professional tournament at the Zaykabar Myanmar Open presented by Alpine?
A. The weather was nice and perfect to play golf and to practice. I didn’t really pay attention to the leaderboard. My wedge shots were so-so during the week but if it was better, I think I would have a chance to win. Overall, I am still happy with my result because it was my first tournament of the year.
Q. How is your life in Asia so far? Are you getting used to it?
A. I’ve been living in Thailand for the last couple of months so I’m quite used to the weather now. I’m just glad that I managed to earn my Asian Tour card at the Qualifying School. I was still an amateur then but turned professional straight after. It is a brand new life for me now and I love Asia.
Q. When did you start playing golf and what sparked your interest?
I started playing golf at the age of six. It was a very difficult sport and surprisingly that sparked my interest in the game and it made me want to take up the challenge.
Q. What made you decide to turn professional?
A. I wanted to play on another level. Getting through the Asian Tour Qualifying School was fantastic for me and I thought it was the perfect timing for me to turn professional.
Q. Who is your inspiration on the course? Is there anyone whom you would like to thank for helping you to get to where you are now?
A. My parents and my friend, Marco, are my inspirations on the course. They are also the ones whom I would like to thank for helping me achieve my goals. They have been very supportive and I know they are the ones who I can rely on. I’ve been dreaming of becoming a professional golfer for the past 15 years. Having achieved it now is truly unbelievable and words cannot describe how happy I am.
Q. When you are not playing golf, what will you be doing?
A. I will most probably be doing others sports like playing squash, tennis or going for wakeboarding.
Q. How do you prepare before a round?
A. I will do some stretching and try to stay as relaxed as I can.
Q. How would you celebrate if you win a tournament?
A. I would go for a drink with my friends!
About Lionel Weber
Country: France
Date of Birth: September 05, 1990
Residence: Riedisheim, France
Family: Single
Turned Pro: 2013
Amateur wins: (2) French Amateur Stroke Play Championship 2012, Italian International Amateur Championship 2012.
