Adri Arnaus (Barcelona, October 17, 1994) is facing the season of his consecration. The Catalan finally won his first tournament and thanks to his regularity he managed to enter the ‘top 50’ of the ranking. At St. Andrews he goes all out
- He is achieving very good results and has earned his third major of the season. What has changed this year?
- It is a year in which several things are clicking, I have had several very good months, although I had been working for a long time to make that leap and be able to rub shoulders with the best in the big leagues. It is a dream come true to be able to play the 150 Open at St. Andrews.
- More demanding tournaments are being found. How is he doing?
- There is more demand, but at the same time that is what we like, that the field and the environment ask us for more. Although he is experiencing some new situations, I work to be a better player every week.
- You couldn’t go more excited than to a 150th edition of the British in St. Andrews.
- It is a super super special week that I will live with great enthusiasm. There is a lot of history and for me it is special because I have been playing on this course since I was an amateur. Even as a child I did a round with my family. It is the cradle of golf and I am going to live it with great care this week.
- Tiger, Seve, Faldo, Nicklaus have won there… How do you see being part of this list?
- I’m in the tournament, so I have my chances to make history and put my name next to these great players. In the end, who hasn’t seen loads of videos of all these players crossing the 18 bridge and celebrating their victory?
- How is this field played in theory?
- It is a different field than the other links. You share several streets and it is a route that you can play in different ways. I suppose they will find a way to complicate the field. If the wind blows it is never easy and the flags will surely be well hidden so that you have to play golf well.
- Does it change so much with the wind?
- In Scotland it blows freely when it wants and we will surely have to make interesting blows due to the wind.
- Does your caddy have experience at St. Andrews?
- I’ve been with Xabi Gorospe for a year now, he’s a good friend of mine from the national team. We have played many amateur tournaments together, including one in 2014 or 2015. He has not only been here, but he is also a great golfer, so his opinion is always very valid.
- Has anything changed since your first win on the DP World Tour?
- The victory in the Catalunya Championship has obviously opened many doors for me. I’ve gotten into several ‘majors’. Finally that Sunday materialized what had already been close several times. Also, oddly enough it was in a playoff, my third in the last seven or eight months. In the end I have learned in the previous ones and I was able to take advantage of it in the home tournament.
- Why is it so difficult to maintain consistency in golf, round after round and tournament after tournament?
- It is difficult to answer. One can only go out to give the best and enjoy. This is how the results come out and consistency is achieved. One hopes that giving the best is enough.
- What other goals do you set for this season?
- One of the goals was to be in this Open, but there is still a long season ahead. I am well placed in the Race to Dubai and in the world ranking, but I have to keep looking up and establish myself in the ‘top 50’ of the ranking. From there, you will be able to make a good calendar for the coming year.
- Is the PGA Tour still your goal?
- Yes, although in principle the way to get there is the world ranking. Of course, the DP World Tour has already announced that for next year it will also act as a bridge. In any case, I have to focus here this year and fight to get to the tournaments on Sundays with options.
- How do you think you will be in the Open and who do you see as the most favorite?
- Every time I come to the Islands I feel that the course can come to you in any way, so I want to think that I have my options, even if the links game is not so in hand. But I know St. Andrews well and look up. Try to be fighting on Sunday to get the jar of claret. As for the rest of the players, if I play the tournament I don’t usually give too much of an opinion.
- And what about the ‘Armada’?
- Pablo [Larrazbal], with whom I agree a lot on the circuit, is very involved this season and hats off with what he is achieving. To Jon [Rahm] and Sergio [Garca] I haven’t followed them that much, but with their experience in these events I will make them well prepared… Sergio has already been close several times in the British.
- The fact that Tiger Woods plays adds luster to the 150 Open.
- It means a lot that someone like Tiger, even in the situation he is in, marks this tournament on the calendar. It means that it is one of the most important events of recent years.
- How are the lessons for Pau Gasol going?
- I was with him before the Irish Open. The effort he is putting into golf is impressive. He has become a huge fan and is training a lot. He has improved a lot in a year and knowing he will continue to rise and take a few birdies every time he goes out on the course.
