Alejandro Cañizares is excited about what he can still achieve in his career as he prepares for a landmark 400th DP World Tour appearance at the 2022 Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters at his home club Real Club Valderrama.
The Spaniard made history as the fastest affiliate member to win on tour when he won on his third professional start in Russia in 2006, before a second title followed eight years later in Morocco.
Cañizares came through Qualifying School in both 2018 and 2019 to regain his tour card and needs a strong finish to this campaign to keep his full playing privileges for next season.
Competing in his 17th season on the DP World Tour, the son of five-time tour winner and Ryder Cup player José María remains motivated, despite 2022 bringing its challenges.
“It’s a big coincidence (to play my 400th event at home), I didn’t know until last week, it’s a coincidence that it’s at my home club and I’m really happy about it,” he said.
“It’s just another tournament that I will play but I’m looking forward to the week, I’m with my family and at my home club. Very excited.
“I think I’m still learning a lot on the mental side of the game. This year has been difficult to get on the golf course and show my own golf. I’ve felt like I’ve been my own worst enemy this year, so I’m still learning.
“Looking back, I’ve learned that it’s not as important as it looks every week and to look at the bigger picture and see that time flies. Enjoy every moment that you can, enjoy every week. Don’t take playing on Tour for granted – I’ve learned that the last few years.
“I’m excited, I’m still motivated, I’m still young enough – I think. I’ve got a lot of golf to show and I’m excited for the end of the year and what comes next.”
Madrid-born Cañizares, who turns 40 in January, has played in all seven previous editions of this week’s event in Sotogrande, with his best result a tie for seventh in 2011.
He comes into his milestone event on the back of a top-20 finish at the acciona Open de España presented by Madrid, while he contended for the title in Switzerland at the end of August.
Valderrama is widely regarded as one of the toughest challenges players face on Tour, but Cañizares is keen not to put himself under unnecessary pressure at a venue he knows very well.
“You could say that you are under more pressure because you want to play extra well at your home course,” he continued.
“But at the end of the day it’s a tournament and I should treat every tournament the same way, and treat every shot the same way.
“That’s my goal, to play every shot to the best of my abilities, as if it was the last, play the next one, and go on from there and count them at the end. To play every shot with my full routine and forget about the outcome – take the focus off the results.”
