Adrian Otaegui is going the extra mile this week as he looks to defend his title on a new course at the 30th edition of the Volvo China Open.
Enhance Anting Golf Club in Shanghai plays host this week just under 12 months after Otaegui lifted the trophy at Hidden Grace Golf Club in Shenzhen.
The switch means that the vast majority of the field will be coming to the layout blind and Otaegui arrived in Shanghai a day early to make sure he had the prefect preparation to go for DP World Tour title number six.
“Completely new course, completely different to last year; different climate, different type of course, but I’ve been out there already, and I quite like it,” said the Spanish-born Emirati. “It’s a bit linksy, the fairways run quite a lot. I’m looking forward to it.
“I came one day early this week and part of it was to be here on Monday morning to play Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. I played nine holes on Monday, nine holes on Tuesday and the Pro-Am today. I like to try and play a couple of times and get the strategy dialled in, hit a couple of shots off the tee to see what options I could have on different holes.
“On a new course I don’t know, preparation is slightly more important. I think we have played great golf courses (here), and the time the event is in the season, we’re a few months in and the game starts to be in good shape. The vibes as well.”
And after his early recce, Otaegui believes mastering the wind will be key to conquering the Robert Trent Jones Jr-designed course.
“Not just if the wind is strong, but the direction can change the course a lot,” he said. “Some short holes can become difficult into the wind or with a crosswind. I think it can make quite a big difference.
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“In general, the fairways are wide but if you miss one you’re in trouble. The greens are small, so it will be important to be straight and wise strategically, being smart on a few holes.”
While Otaegui may have five DP World Tour titles under his belt, this is just the third time he has had a chance to defend, and he is happy to be doing so in a country of which he is fond after missing four of his last five cuts.
“It’s always good to be back in China, I’ve had some good results here, especially winning last year,” he said. “It’s great being back as defending champion and being back in Shanghai, we haven’t been here for a while.
“We were in the Confucius temple yesterday and I was praying a little bit. I quite like playing in China and I look forward to continuing with that.
“It was my fifth win last year and I’ve never experienced anything like it. The crowds were crazy, all over me after the prize giving, we went to the chalet and it was unreal. It is fun, it’s exciting.
“Tomorrow I’m playing with Haotong Li so all the cameras will be on the home favourite, which will also be fine for me.
“I had two nice weeks off where I could rest and have a mental reset. I just tried to prepare and get some new goals for the next few weeks. I think preparations were good. I did some technical work with my coach and it was good to spend some time with the family, recharge the batteries and come here fresh.
“It’s great to be defending champion and playing with Haotong as the Shanghai star. I will do my best and just play one day after the other as always. I will give 100 per cent and to defend my title would be amazing.”
