“Is it difficult to play with the final category of cards?
I was still well ranked, I finished 12th. Last year, I was the equivalent of a 20th or 22nd place in cards. I knew I was in a better position this year. But with the small field tournaments at the start of the year, I was never sure if I was going to play, whether in Ras Al Khaimah, Singapore, Thailand or India. It’s not necessarily easy because there’s a lot of waiting, but it’s something I’ve learned to manage. With experience, I know the song. It’s not so much the number of tournaments you play that counts, you have to play well. You have to stay focused on what you control, which is my game. I’m just trying to improve and be ready to perform when the tournaments come around.
When we have few opportunities, do we feel more pressure to perform?
When you play fewer tournaments, it’s always more difficult because you want to do well. But we have no choice. Afterwards, there is always pressure, whether we play 100 tournaments or 5. A tournament remains a tournament. I always want to do well, I always have this desire for results. I’m trying to set my game up to give myself a chance to win the tournament. I try to ignore the situation, stick to what I know how to do and try to improve myself. Of course it’s not easy to manage, but golf is hard, a professional career too, that’s how it is.
“When I came (to India) five years ago, the cut was +7. It was quite shocking, it was very very hard. There, I realize that it’s still just as hard, it hasn’t really changed.
What do you think of the golf atmosphere and culture in India?
I came for the first time in 2017. It is very special, but the course is exceptional. It really is one of the toughest courses on the European Tour. When I came five years ago, the cut was +7. It was quite shocking, it was very very hard. There, I realize that it’s still just as hard, it hasn’t really changed. The atmosphere has improved, I had less good memories of my first visit. We are in rather good conditions. Afterwards, I don’t really know if there is a big golf culture in India. Apart from the hotel and the golf course, you don’t see much else.
This course, how would you describe it?
It is exceptional, it is a true test of golf. It is very demanding, I am happy to be able to test my game on a course like that. I think a lot of players are enjoying the course this week. For me, it is, with Valderama, the hardest course of the European Tour. Then they are completely different. In Valderama, there are trees in the middle of the fairways, it’s firm, there are strong winds. There, at DLF, there is not too much wind, the greens are very firm, they are extremely steep with a very narrow course and huge bunkers. He leaves no room for error. The slightest bad blow, we are punished directly. It’s great. It’s a bit like playing a major. You have to think and put the ball in the right place. Even the easy holes where you put an iron at the start, the iron shot is super hard. There are a few funky holes but it’s still a great test and a great course. I can’t wait to play it.
More generally, how do you live there with Indian food and culture?
The high level also means knowing how to adapt. Every week is different. There are weeks when it’s hot, when it’s cold, with a lot of wind, without wind, on the wrong side of the draw, etc. There are a whole bunch of parameters that we don’t control. It is true that it is a challenge to be able to eat well. There are countries where we eat better than others. It also depends on the location, if you are in a big city or more remote. As a pro, we do our best to adapt to each week. I’ve been a pro for 10 years, I’m starting to know the places, the pitfalls to avoid. I know how to organize myself, the little things to play better. What day I arrive at golf, how I do my reconnaissance round, at what time, etc.
Life on the European Tour allows you to experience many different cultures.
Last week in Thailand was awesome. It’s not expensive, the food is pretty good, the people are nice. In the Emirates, it’s great too, we eat very well, it’s a very safe place, we feel good. It is sure that in India, it is a little more complicated this week. But I think it’s better than in 2017. Of course, we have our preferences. But it’s always the same: you have to adapt. »
