Two weeks short of the pinnacle of his amateur career, Cameron Adam is competing at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo with the aim of accelerating his return to the DP World Tour as a professional.
The Scot, 22, is the sole amateur in the field this week at The Belfry Hotel & Resort after receiving a late tournament invite.
Named in the Great Britain & Ireland team for next month’s Walker Cup earlier in August, Adam is teeing it up in his first regular event on the DP World Tour as part of a concerted push to make it a regular occurrence next season.
Through the Global Amateur Pathway, an initiative created by the DP World Tour, The R&A and the PGA TOUR, he could earn himself a DP World Tour exemption for the 2026 season.
Leading the Global Amateur Pathway Rankings, he needs to be inside the top 20 of the World Amateur Golf Rankings by mid-October to earn a card on Golf’s Global Tour.
Whatever happens over the coming weeks, he is safe in the knowledge that a card on the HotelPlanner Tour awaits for next year.
“I am having this push here,” Adam, the amateur World Number 20, told the DP World Tour.
“It’s a great opportunity to pick up points because I am right on that cusp of getting it.”
The Walker Cup, held this year from September 6-7 at Cypress Point in Pebble Beach, California, will provide one of two remaining opportunities to further his quest.
One of three Scots set to compete against the best amateur talent from the United States, Adam is relishing the chance to help GB&I to a first triumph in the competition since 2015, and first on the road since 2001.
“Not many people can say they have played in a Walker Cup,” he said.
“It is such a prestigious thing do within the game. It’s been a big driving factor for me in the past year or so to get over the line and to get in that squad is really exciting and a great honour.
“Within the squad, there is just a lot of excitement to play America on their home soil.
“We just feel like we have got such a strong squad which is exciting because a lot of people doubt us. We really think we can cause an upset. That has been the large focus for a wee while.
“This [the British Masters] is great and a nice addition.”
Beyond that, he also intends to play at the Eisenhower Trophy as part of a three-man Scotland side in the biennial World Amateur Team Championship in Singapore from October 8-11.
“It’s really nice that is the closing date for the GAP (Ranking],” Adam added.
“It gives me the opportunity to play in my first Walker Cup, first Eisenhower. Being Scottish that is something that is so big for me. To go and play in a team of three for your nation and at a World Championship is a great honour.”
Should he do so, he will emulate his mentor, Robert MacIntyre, who he met through a scheme arranged by the Stephen Gallacher Foundation, in partnership with Bounce Sport Management.
Since 2021, Adam has forged a strong relationship with MacIntyre, who has gone from strength to strength and will make his second Ryder Cup appearance next month after a momentous 2024 that saw the former Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year winner claim two PGA TOUR titles.
“It is a privilege seeing him do so well,” said Adam of MacIntyre. “He has been massive for me.
“I had a spot last year where I was struggling with my putting, a few things and he really helped me out, got me the eyes I needed and even put his own eyes on it.
“Being able to learn from someone like that who is having such great success is invaluable.”
That influence came in handy last month when Adam made his debut in The Open Championship at Royal Portrush after finishing as the top-performing amateur across three events in the month of June in The Open Amateur Series.
And while he may have missed the cut in Northern Ireland, Adam is feeling comfortable in his surroundings this week as a result of the learnings from the Major stage.
“It’s the golf event that I grew up attending as a fan,” he said. “It lived up to everything and beyond. From how the tournament was run, to the course, to playing in front of a ‘home’ crowd.
“I had a lot of family and friends come over. It was exhilarating.
“I was so nervous in the practice rounds. I stood on the first tee on the Monday. It’s an experience that I gained so much value from. It was special.
“Bob played with me two of the three practice rounds at The Open and just being able to learn off him is amazing. He really settled me down in Portrush.
“A lot of credit to how I feel this week can go down to that. I feel quite settled this week and a lot of that is down to that experience."
An opening one-under-par 71 on Thursday, featuring three birdies in a four-hole stretch on his back nine, was certainly an encouraging initial showing.
“There were lots of ups and downs in there,” said Adam ahead of second round.
“I think there was probably a little more nervous energy in there than I was anticipating. I missed a really short putt on the first and it almost kind of settled me in.
“I just got going from there and got on a run, gave a few cheap ones back before finishing strong. I am happy with the score I posted but there are things to clean up.”
