Tom O'Rourke has moved to the other side of the world to chase a golfing dream, but coming back home for a holiday could prove just as important as his scholarship in the United States.
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The rising Canberra star turned heads around the capital this week when a casual Wednesday hit developed into one of the best rounds in Royal Canberra history.
O'Rourke shot a remarkable 10-under par on the Yarralumla course, firing seven birdies on the final seven holes to stun his playing partners and Royal Canberra members.
His effort won't count as a course record because it was off the white tees. But to put his round in perspective, the official course record is four-under par.
"I flushed pretty much everything all day and missed a couple of birdie putts on the front nine as well," O'Rourke said.
"Actually, the front nine was a bit rough. I was two-under after the ninth, then birdied my 10th hole, a par on the 11th and then birdied the next seven.
"It was all just solid [rather than flashy]. Putting it within 10 feet [on the green] and making my putts. So it was pretty good out there."
The 19-year-old former Radford College student has started a junior college scholarship in the US, joining the Reedley College program in California.
He will spend Christmas with his family in the capital before flying back to start his college season.
O'Rourke is already hitting his driver between 290-300 metres and is working with a swing coach Chris Doos to improve his game in the hope of joining a division one or division two college as the next step in his career.
He then hopes to go professional in Europe or Asia and may meet with Matt Millar whilst he is in Canberra to talk about the things he needs to do to achieve his goals.
"Chris says he can get me to a [division one] university and he's coached Kevin Chappell, who's a PGA professional," O'Rourke said.
"He sees some potential there. I definitely want to get my business degree, but I also want to give pro golf a crack. Maybe in Australia, Europe or Japan, but I definitely do want to go pro.
"My previous best was five-under par and that's when I started to believe. Having 10-under par at Royal Canberra is unreal and can open some doors I guess."
O'Rourke's US season will start in Los Angeles on January 24, competing with 12 other scholarship holders to fill the six available slots for tournaments.
