In summary

  • Stubbs credits working with a data analyst and strategist as arguably the biggest factor behind his early hot run of form this season.
  • He has opened the season with a tie for third at the WA PGA Championship and a runner-up finish at the WA Open, one shot behind James Marchesani.
  • Currently fourth in the Order of Merit, Stubbs insists it's too early to think about the DP World Tour card or returns to the Masters and Open.

But it’s been drilling down into data and analytics which has had the biggest impact on the output in Stubbs’ third year as a professional, having tempered expectations after racking up some big early achievements.

Stubbs, from Melbourne, won the Asia-Pacific Amateur in a playoff at Royal Melbourne in 2023, earning starting spots in the 2024 Masters and Open Championships.

Such early exposure to majors could create an urgency for plenty of players to get back there again.

Stubbs though treated them as they were – fantastic experiences but also learning ones and part of his journey rather than an early climax.

“I think there was a little bit of expectation after playing in two major championships so early, but I managed my expectations when I started out,” Stubbs told Golf Australia Magazine as he prepared for his third hit out of the season, at the Players Series event in Willunga.

“I figured out pretty quick that there are a lot of good golfers on the tour.  I knew my good golf was good enough to compete with them, but I had to play that week in, week out to be consistent and competitive.

“So that's just what I sort of strive for now, and I know that if I can do that, I can put myself up there like the last couple of weeks.”

His opening two results have been a tie for third in the WA PGA Championship in Kalgoorlie and then a runner-up finish, just one-shot behind James Marchesani at last weekend’s WA Open on the back of a closing-round of 66.

It’s a form line which has come together after the pro-am road trip that included eight events for five top-10 finishes.  

“We got all the way up to Brisbane then we sort of worked our way down through the Gold Coast, Lennox Head, we also did some in Newcastle, Lismore was a big one as well, and then around Hawk's Nest area.  

“I think it's worked out well. It was my first time doing a big stretch of pro-ams and I think it's got my competitive juices flowing for the for the start of the season.”

While the run of competitions helped Stubbs get his game in good shape, he said linking up with a data analyst and strategist in his support team has arguably been a bigger factor in his early hot run of form.

“It was something that I was probably lacking in, and it was something I was a bit unaware of how I was travelling,” he said.

“So now once I finish a tournament, I know where I've sort of done well and where needs improvement. But that doesn't mean heading straight out onto the range and grinding on my swing. It just means I've just put a bit more focus on that area maybe the next day or in a warm-up.

“Yeah, it's huge in terms of knowing where I can pick up strokes on the field and where I'm losing them. So that's been really big for me over the last couple of months.”

That’s all it is so far too, a good couple of months in what is a long season that runs all the way to March next year.

Stubbs is not even looking at the range of huge carrots on offer, which include DP World Tour cards for the Order of Merit winner – he’s currently fourth – as well as returns to the Masters and Open via the Australian Open.

“I think it's way too early. Obviously, the start for the season has been nice, but I think, yeah, there's 10 or 11 events still left to go, and a lot can happen in that time,” he said.

“As we saw last year there was a few late swings with the Order of Merit. Obviously, it is a goal starting the season, but there's little targets to hit along the way. And so far I'm hitting them, so I'm pretty happy with where my game is.”

Jasper SJasper Stubbs at the 2024 Masters. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Stubbs, 24, is well aware his career is still in its infancy and despite what he’s seen and experienced, and what’s happening around him with young players bursting onto the international scene, knows he can play a longer game.

“A lot of the experiences I had as an amateur and being able to play some pro events and majors was pretty incredible,” he said.

“It's still really fresh in my mind and I’m still learning. But there's a lot more that I've learnt now than I knew two years ago. So, I'm feeling pretty good about being a professional.

“I play golf my way, and I've got to set my goals, and if I want to be there one day, I've got to do it my own way.

“So, it's just about setting up what that looks like for me and playing in the Player Series  here in Adelaide instead of thinking about anywhere else.

"I've been playing in final groups and in contention in some pretty big events now and had some awesome experiences. I'm not I'm not worried about not having won yet . It would be lovely to add a win to the resume, but playing good golf is just my focus and the wins will come with doing that as well. 

“So, um, I'm happy to be here and this is where I am for now and yeah, always looking forward to what's to come.”