A relaxed and smiling Rafa Cabrera Bello looks forward to the challenge of Real Club Valderrama, once again at its best for this three million euro event in the decisive phase of the Race to Dubai.
Rafa recalls distant memories, well aware of the demands of the historic layout.
“Valderrama is a course that I've always loved, and I've been very conscious of how difficult it is. I played it for the first time when I was 12 years old as a junior, and I grew up dreaming of playing here because the most important tournament on the European Tour, the Volvo Masters, was played here. I think this course suits my game. It's not excessively long and you need to be very straight. The shots to the green are crucial, you need to know where to miss and you need a good short game. The only thing I haven't been able to do is to play freely. It's an intimidating course because only the perfect shot is good, but instead of worrying, the best way to go is to relax and believe that you're going to hit it well. I have never performed really well in Valderrama, and that’s something I hope to change.”
Las week’s win in Madrid has changed his outlook and boosted his confidence.
“If I saw the light at the end of the tunnel before, we are now out of the tunnel. Obviously, the course is very demanding; Valderrama is probably the most intimidating course I've ever played, and hopefully coming here with my confidence levels at 100% will help me a lot this week. I've noticed that the course is a bit easier because they've cleaned it up a bit. The last time I played here the rough was very high, but no matter what year you come, you get intimidating shots. And I use the word intimidating not because I'm going to play with fear, but to convey the feeling that we players have when we face the challenge of almost every shot on this course.”
After winning in front of a passionate gallery last weekend, the Open de España champion will play again for a tide of fans as he shares the stellar group with Jon Rahm and Matt Fitzpatrick for his first two rounds from Thursday at 9:40.
“This will not be the first time I play with Jon, and it's great to play with the crowd wanting to cheer you on. You have that added bit of pressure of wanting to do well for them to thank them for coming to see us. I can't promise that I will play well, but I can promise that right up to the last green I will be giving it my best shot.”
Fond images of his recent victory will be fresh in his mind.
“Last week was obviously very special. I have been competing for the Open de España since 2002 as an amateur and I gave myself a chance in 2019. It really is the fifth major for every Spanish player and I like to think that my name will remain on the trophy alongside those of other great Spanish players after I am gone. Nobody has followed me on more rounds of golf than my father. He saw me win as an amateur, but never as a professional. For a father, to see his son win his National Open in Madrid with the whole crowd roaring his name must have been huge. To be able to give that to my father made me feel very emotional.”
INSIDE THE ROPES
Pau Gasol takes up golf
The classic pre-tournament Pro-Am was held today with the presence of Pau Gasol, the Spanish basketball idol who recently announced his retirement. Gasol has swapped basketball courts for tees, fairways and greens.
“I started during confinement, as it was one of the few activities you could do outdoors. I started while I was recovering in the States and it helped me disconnect mentally”.
Gasol has played with Adri Arnaus, whom he met at the Tokyo Olympics last summer. The Catalan professional, a big fan of Gasol, proposed a game of golf back in Spain, and they have played a few times since then.
Pau admits that he is hooked on golf, and he is enjoying it immensely.
“I'm getting to know a bunch of nice, wholesome people in golf. This game is a challenge and I want to keep improving.”
The Spanish basketball icon finds some similarities between both sports
“You must work long hours, stay focused on every shot, not accumulate mistakes, have a short memory, and be aggressive when it counts. For the rest, just enjoy.”
There was another great sportsman and golf addict in the group, Luis Figo. They played the first round with Adri Arnáus and the second with Scott Robert McIntyre.
Martin Kaymer, a big fan of Valderrama
Germany's Martin Kaymer, world number one in 2011 and winner of the 2010 US PGA Championship and the 2014 US Open, is looking to improve on last year’s second finish and finally win on one of his favourite courses.
“Valderrama is very special for many reasons; it's a real icon of golf in Europe. I tend to play well here, I love it, and the course is always in incredible condition”.
Defender John Catlin looks to strike again
Defending champion John Catlin recalls with emotion his triumph at Valderrama, his first victory on the European Tour.
“It was huge for me, especially on a course like this. I remember perfectly many of the shots and look forward to competing again. It was like a boxing match, one punch after another and it turned out that I stayed on my feet until the 18th green. I'm proud of how I handled the situation, I had won tournaments before, but to do it on the European Tour is another level. That win was great for my confidence.”
The future of Andalusian golf at Valderrama
Once again the Royal Andalusian Golf Federation has seized the opportunity of having Europe´s best competing at Valderrama to motivate young Andalusian golfers.
All the champions in children and junior categories have been invited to play the Pro-Am. This initiative is not just a prize, but the best way to inspire future champions by watching first-hand what professional golf is like. Andalusia has around 6,000 children's licences, a great foundation for the future.
Tickets are now available for this year’s Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, with options for purchasing individual tickets for each day, four-day passes or weekend passes, with preferential rates for children under 14, federated golfers or people with reduced mobility.
Tickets can be purchased from the Tickets menú on the tournament website, at edamgolf.es or at Fever.
The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, an event in the European Tour’s Race to Dubai made possible by the essential contribution of the Real Club Valderrama, is sponsored by Estrella Damm and the Consejería de Turismo, Regeneración, Justicia y Administración Local of the Junta de Andalucía, jointly funded by the EU, declared Event of Exceptional Public Interest by the Government of Spain. This tournament is also supported by the Diputación de Cádiz, Exterior Plus, Hero, Rolex y Santander Private Banking. Callaway, Cinco Jotas, Enterprise, Gadira, Kyocera, La Reserva Club Sotogrande, Marca, Quirónsalud, the Real Federación Andaluza de Golf, Riversa, SO/ Sotogrande, Varma and Volvo are official suppliers.
