Ewen Ferguson reports pain-free progress after four months of fitness work

Ewen Ferguson says he is playing without significant pain after an injury-hit spell, reporting improved strength and greater distance following four months of work with gym coach Kenny McKenzie. Speaking to BBC Sport Scotland in an interview published on November 11, the three-time DP World Tour winner described a physical improvement that has also helped his preparation.

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The 30-year-old Scot said he had gained weight through his gym programme and was hitting the ball further. He pointed to playing alongside Jon Rahm and Tommy Fleetwood the previous week as an encouraging comparison, saying he felt able to match their distance much of the time. Ferguson also travels with a physiotherapist for 15 weeks of the year as part of his approach to managing his physical condition.

That progress has not removed every obstacle in his game. Ferguson told the BBC his scoring average this year was better than in any previous season, but said his putting had kept him from getting into stronger positions to win tournaments. He has been working on that part of his game, describing the gap between consistent scoring and a sustained challenge for victories as a source of frustration.

Ferguson also reported a calmer response when shots go wrong. He said he now better understands the reasons for poor shots and is less likely to panic. His experience of living in the Middle East has contributed to his development, he added, with the region's longer and more demanding courses teaching him about course management and adapting to conditions.

A place on the PGA Tour remains an ambition, alongside hopes of playing in the Ryder Cup. Ferguson acknowledged that improving his world ranking would require bigger results. He believes he can compete at a higher level, while accepting that he is not yet necessarily ready to do so every week.

In discussing that ambition, Ferguson named Bob MacIntyre and Sandy Scott as players he would like to join on the PGA Tour. His account distinguished the physical progress already made from the competitive results still needed: improved fitness and scoring have encouraged him, but his putting remains unfinished work.