Michael Hoey

Northern Irishman Michael Hoey returned to winning ways when he lifted the trophy at the Russian Open in Moscow. This player profile looks at some of Hoey's career milestones as he joins the European Tour's winner's circle once again.

Born and raised in Belfast, Hoey learned the game of golf at the Shandon Park Golf Club in the East of the city. The young Hoey showed a natural talent for the game that was fostered by his family, and by the age of 22 he had graduated from Clemson University in the United States and won the British Amateur Championship.

Since his professional debut in 2001, Hoey has been a regular winner on the European Tour. His early golf career was spent playing tournaments on the second-tier Challenge Tour, where he won three events – the 2005 BA-CA Golf Open, the 2007 Open di Puglia e Basilicata, and the 2008 Moroccan Classic.

Hoey weathered a great number of challenges during his early career, but as his game became more consistent the European Tour beckoned.  The Ulsterman has won a total of five titles on the European Tour since 2009, becoming a regular contender for the trophy and recording many top 10 finishes in every season since then.  Hoey also played on the Ireland team at the 2007 Mission Hills World Cup – the national team finished 24th overall.

Hoey’s victories on the European Tour include the 2009 Open de Portugal, the 2011 Madeira Islands Open, and Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, and the 2012 Hassan II Trophy.

Although Hoey’s game suffered at the beginning of the 2013 season, with several missed cuts and a winning drought that lasted almost a year, Sunday’s victory at the Russian Open has placed this talented player back on the road to success as he joins the Race to Dubai.

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