5 days ago
New DP World Tour winner 'lost for words' as he's finally flying high after pilot plans grounded
Nicolai von Dellingshausen has lift-off in Austria with triumph at 110th attempt
Nicolai von Dellingshausen has finally flown highest on the DP World Tour after his plans to be a pilot were grounded by airline cuts.
The German golf star is celebrating his first win on the circuit by grabbing a success at the Austrian Alpine Open.
Von Dellingshausen had three previous Pro Golf Tour wins, but made the big breakthrough with his two-shot triumph from countryman Marcel Schneider and Norway's Kristoffer Reitan, who shot a Sunday 60. The 32-year-old's breakthrough came in his 110th DP World Tour start, yet things could have turned out differently if he'd had success in his other passion. Aeroplanes.
Von Dellingshausen, who joins the likes of Rory McIlroy as a winner on the circuit, revealed in an interview with Golf N'Style magazine: 'Unlike many other players, I didn't study in the USA, but in Germany and I actually wanted to become a pilot. I applied to Lufthansa at the time and passed all the assessment and medical tests.
'However, there were a lot of strikes going on at the time and the company wanted to reduce the number of higher-paying cockpit seats in favour of Lufthansa's core company. Then my studies were coming to an end and I just kept getting better at golf, even though I had less time to practice.
'I still remember very well how I sat my former coach, Roland Becker and said to him: I think if I want to try to become a professional again, I have to do it now.
'I set myself the goal of being on the Pro Golf Tour for a maximum of one year. I never would have imagined that I would win three times within seven months.
'The Challenge Tour alone is truly a whole different level and, when you get to the DP World Tour, you simply notice that the players have a very complete skill set. The courses are also crazy. The experience you need to play at that level takes time.
'I'm very happy and see it as a huge privilege to be able to play this great sport at this level. There are also moments when I'd like to just throw everything aside and say: You know what, I'm fed up. That phase you go through as an athlete, as a person in general, when you say to yourself: I'm giving my best. I'm really just trying to be successful in what I do. And it still doesn't work. In that moment, you think to yourself: Why am I actually doing this?
'You're on the road a lot. Very few people can understand this lifestyle. On the other hand, I absolutely love traveling, the places we see. And of course I like flying.
'I'm a total aviation geek. Whenever I see a plane in the sky, I first check Flightradar to see where it's going and what kind of aircraft it is.'
Von Dellingshausen, twice previously a DP World Tour runner-up, cast aside the previous 109 unsuccessful starts to go one better with his 67 and the champion said: 'I can't describe it, honestly. I'm a little bit lost for words right now. I'm trying really hard not to cry, but I honestly don't know what to say. It's been such a tough journey the last two and a half years with losing the card, but it's all got me to this stage right here and now I'm here.
'It's amazing. Thanks to everyone who came out here and just watched and supported us, Marcel and myself. 'I said it already, it kind of feels like a home tournament for me. I love playing in Austria. I always play well when I play here for some reason. It must be the food!'
