From this Thursday you start at the Scottish Championship your fourth consecutive week on the European Tour. Not too tired ?
Yes, a little, but we didn’t play too much at the start of the season due to the pandemic. There, I want to take advantage of it. You should know that it is a bit exhausting to go home, especially compared to the Covid protocol. So in the end, I said to myself that I was going to continue. When I feel like I need to take a break, I will, but I don’t feel the need for it yet.
Especially since this Scottish Championship, a newcomer to the European Tour calendar, was almost canceled …
Yes, it’s true. It was a little hot a week ago. The Scottish government had announced new measures to counter the upsurge in Covid-19. So there you have it, we often sail on sight. I decided to take the tournaments one after the other without asking myself too many questions. I’m not in a forecast with a schedule that has been closed for three or four months. On the contrary. We have very little visibility. And then somewhere, I may have more rest by staying in the tournament on Monday and Tuesday than by going home to come back just after … With the coronavirus, there are forms to fill out, you have to be tested at home, then again when you arrive on site. It’s still heavy!
After Cyprus, we don’t really know… There should be other tournaments that will be added to the calendar. But where ? We do not know anything !
After Scotland, what are you going to do? Take a little rest?
No, no… I’m going to play Italy (October 22-25) and the two tournaments in Cyprus (from October 29 to November 8). I do it all. It is not in my habits but there, why not … Once you are in the bubble, it is easier to stay there. If I had had the opportunity to take two weeks, I would have. But there was no real way to do it. So, well, you might as well go play these tournaments. In addition, these are places that I like.
Do you not fear despite everything the serious blow of bar?
Yes, of course. There, starting this fourth week, I feel that I am a little tired. Suddenly, I rest. I will have to spare myself during the next few weeks. After that, what is rather cool is that I have a rhythm of play, every week… I take what there is because we do not yet know what will be done at the end of the year.
Exactly. The final of the Race in Dubai (December 10-13) could be called into question. Did you hear that too?
Normally, I think it will be done. But we don’t have confirmation yet. After Cyprus, we don’t really know… There should be other tournaments that will be added to the calendar. But where ? We do not know anything ! 2020, anyway, is a year without pressure for us. A blank year. So you might as well play everything that arises to prepare well for next season. Me, I go with the feeling and I take advantage of my category to play as much as possible.
I don’t necessarily question myself. I ignore the result. I mostly try to build something
How has this victory in Austria on July 18th totally changed your life as a professional golfer?
She gave me a job back (laughs). She saved me at least a year and a half. I can play all the tournaments, it gives me a lot more opportunities to, why not, to win others. That’s also why I want to enjoy it as much as possible. Every tournament I see it as a way to improve my status. I have nothing to lose this year. Apart from qualifying for the final of the Race, the classification does not change anything for me. The main goal is to have fun, to be able to take advantage of my privilege and above all to improve my game. And then everyone is a little more relaxed, less stressed. We don’t play to keep the card. For those in my case, it’s a great year. We play golf without pressure. It’s so rare!
Since your success in Austria, you have played seven tournaments without having been able to grab a top 25. Unconsciously, have you felt any backlash in your game?
After the victory, I took some time for myself before putting my action plan in place. It’s true that I am in an average passage from Valderrama (September 3-6). There are quite a few good things, but there are also some bad ones. I’m not achieving the performance I want, but it’s golf. I do not take the lead. There are weeks when everything works, and others when nothing goes. I don’t necessarily question myself. I ignore the result. I mainly try to build something. On arrival, I am not very far. I just need my bad shots to be a little better… You have to be patient!
A second victory before the end of the year, is that one of your goals?
Yes of course. But it’s very hard to win. I don’t set myself a goal, pure short-term performance. This year, my goal is above all to put solid things in place in my game to attack 2021 with a calm mind.
