Sebastian Soderberg heads to the Foshan Open for the third time and is looking for a career-best result in the Chinese event to help propel him even higher up the Road to Ras Al Khaimah Rankings.
The Swede currently sits in third place in the Rankings, following a victory in Italy and runner-up finishes in England and the Czech Republic this season, and knows he needs to challenge again this week if he is going to make a late charge to be the 2018 European Challenge Tour Number One.
Although Soderberg admits his record at Foshan Golf Club is poor, having missed the cut in 2016 and finished tied 40thtwo years ago, the 28 year old comes into this week in fine form and is eager to try and close the gap on current Rankings leader Joachim B. Hansen who he trails by more than 50,000 points.
“I would like to finish as high up as possible at the end of the year,” he said. “I’m looking forward to these last two events, obviously they are two of the bigger events, so a lot of things can happen.
“I started really well this year but felt like I had to play really well towards the end of the season, compared to my previous seasons on the Challenge Tour. I’ve had more patience towards the end, and I’ve played well throughout the season which is why I’m in this my position.”
Following a share of tenth place at the Hainan Open last week, Soderberg’s sixth top ten of the season, the Gothenburg native has shown he can perform in China and believes it could be third time lucky in Foshan City this week.
“The golf courses out here are really good, and I enjoy playing here,” he said. “I had an okay week last week, so hopefully I can build on that and I’m looking forward to this week.
“I think the course is playing a little longer than I’m used to. I’ve been here twice, and the ball is sitting down straightaway. I think it is fairly straight forward, tee to green, but the greens are tricky.
“They have several slopes and it’s all about hitting the right spots on the green which affects how far away from the hole you are. You could have some impossible putts from 15 feet. If you’re hitting it well into the greens, then I think you can play pretty well out here.
“I haven’t had a lot of success at this course. I missed one cut and didn’t finish well the other time. I still think the course suits me pretty well, so I still think I have a chance here.”
