John Chidley-Hill/ Canadian Press
Simply 9 tournaments into the DP World Tour season, Canada’s Aaron Cockerill is already in the perfect place of his profession.
Cockerill, from Stony Mountain, Man., tied for fourth on the Dubai Desert Traditional on Sunday, firing a 4-under fourth spherical to complete at 10 below, simply 4 pictures again of Northern Eire’s Rory McIlroy. That efficiency moved Cockerill 33 factors up the Race to Dubai rankings to ninth general.
“There’s nonetheless an extended option to go however it’s clearly higher to begin in an excellent place than be behind the 8-ball,” mentioned Cockerill, who performed in his fourth match of the season however first of 2024.
Cockerill is the eighth highest-ranked Canadian on the official world golf rankings, sitting 219th general. Holding tempo with high-profile gamers like McIlroy and Chile’s Joaquin Niemann, who additionally tied for fourth, on the Dubai Desert Traditional was encouraging.
“I solely misplaced to 3 different guys and a few them are actually, actually extremely ranked golfers,” mentioned Cockerill. “I imply, these guys are all inside the high 30 on the planet, I believe so, it’s thrilling.”
The 32-year-old Cockerill had some robust performances final season on the European-based DP World Tour, with a tie for fourth on the Alfred Dunhill Championship on Dec. 12, 2022, and a second-place end on the ISPS HANDA — Championship on April 22, however then he struggled via the summer season.
He mentioned he’s discovered from that have and plans to do issues otherwise in 2024.
“I believe a variety of that has to do with my habits away from the golf course,” mentioned Cockerill from his dwelling in Dubai. “After we’re over right here at the beginning of the season I’m sort of secluded, when it comes to what my regular day after day could be at dwelling.
“Right here it’s: golf course, observe, health club, work laborious. I’m going fairly laborious and not likely doing loads in between. Not that I wish to be a drill sergeant to myself the entire season, however I additionally have to know that I want to remain fairly disciplined and sustain with my observe habits.”
