Whitchurch Pro Toby Hunt has enjoyed a collection of starts on the DP World and HotelPlanner Tours in 2025. The stand-out highlight was a tie for 33rd at the British Masters at The Belfry. A week later, the 2024 PGA Cup player began with a 64 in the HotelPlanner event in France before eventually tying for 12th, and there was even better to come the following week in Poland.
His place at The Belfry came courtesy of his performances in PGA tournaments and shows the value to Members of having a stepping stone to the major tours.
Here, Hunt picks out some of the lessons that he's learned from his incredible experiences.
1. The power of belief
The Belfry was huge for me to actually prove that I can compete at that level. I think that was probably the biggest learning curve. I had three really good weeks, firstly making the cut on the number at the British Masters which gave me a lot of confidence in my own ability. Then off the back of that, I went to Sweden the week after and tied 12th and then I got a sponsor's invite into Poland, where I was tied first after another opening 64, before coming seventh. Playing The Belfry in front of a crowd of that size and playing with some big names there definitely made the HotelPlanner feel more normal.
Pictured: Toby Hunt playing at the Betfred British Masters
2. Losing my imposter syndrome
Two weeks before The Belfry I played the Nexo Championship on the DP World Tour at Trump Aberdeen and there was definitely a feeling of imposter syndrome and that I didn't belong there. But having the experience and the good result of The Belfry, that went quite quickly after that. Then you go to a HotelPlanner tour event and, all of a sudden, that all feels quite normal and more like what you're used to.
I've not really been in awe of anyone that I've played with but I haven't played with anyone out of the very top drawer. I played with Rafa Cabrera Bello in the last round of The Belfry (and beat him) and two weeks later he nearly won the Irish Open. So that gives you another layer of confidence.
3. Length is key on tour…
I would have been around average distance when compared to most of the guys I played with on both tours. To be one of the best players in the world, you have to now hit it a certain distance to be able to compete on courses that are 7,500 yards whereas in the UK in the height of summer you're barely using your driver on some courses and it's a completely different way to play golf.
If Rory or Bryson are hitting a driver and 9-iron into the green, then nine times out of 10 they're going to get that 9 closer than your 6-iron so real length is a huge factor.
I played Q School last year and, when it was wet and stopping, you've got long shots into the green if you're hitting it 280 yards in the air. Some of the guys are able to carry it 300 to 310 yards and that adds up to quite a lot.
I did play with Thomas Bessa, a Portuguese guy in Poland, and he was hitting it absolutely miles and he was taking on some of the doglegs, which were a 330-yard carry. There was one hole that was 325 to carry the water and 340 to the front of the green and he pitched it on. The other time he hit it in a greenside bunker.
I would say that I am around tour average for length and that's quite noticeable. When I play in PGA events I will be above average but it's a very different story when you play on the DP World or HotelPlanner Tours.
“After having the experience and the good result of The Belfry, you go to a HotelPlanner tour event and, all of a sudden, that all feels quite normal and more like what you're used to” - Toby Hunt
4. …but not every week
On some courses on the HotelPlanner it's really beneficial if you are able to bomb it but there are other courses where you are almost taking quite a bit of risk on some of the holes. So it depends what courses you play.
You're never really going to play the course suitable to your game every week but, when it does and you're playing well, you need to take that opportunity. Poland was good for me as lot of the run-outs were about 300 to the doglegs or to the widest areas of the fairway.
I was able to hit driver quite regularly and it was quite short from there whereas a lot of the guys who hit it further than me were going to be running out. They had to hit 3-woods or 2-irons and that probably made it a bit more difficult for them as they were in between clubs off the tee.
