Reinier Saxton returns to Almaty, scene of his best ever result on the European Challenge Tour, hoping for another good finish at the Kazakhstan Open as he targets a late assault on the Road to Oman Rankings.
The Dutchman was third last year in the most lucrative tournament on the Challenge Tour schedule, giving heightened significance to an event where a good result can be a career-changer.
Saxton’s season has been consistent but as yet has lacked the kind of big performance he produced this time last year, though in many ways that mirrors his 2016 results.
“I’m looking forward to going back,” said the 29 year old. “Last year I played pretty well throughout the season without having any really big results until Kazakhstan and there it just happened for me – I had a chance to win but Sam Walker just had a great day and I ended up a couple short.
“It was a big confidence boost for me. I didn’t give myself a lot of chances on the leaderboards for most of last year but I made loads of cuts, so then the result in Kazakhstan gave me lots of confidence for the end of the season.
“After that I didn’t quite manage to finish the year like I hoped I might, I had a couple of good weeks but not quite enough, but it was a really strong group that finished in the top 15 last year, playing really well all season, and I just came up short.
“This year has been quite similar to last year. I didn’t start that well but I’ve made something like nine cuts in a row now, it’s just that the best finish was a tie for eighth or something, not anything very high.”
This year sees the tournament switch back to Nurtau Golf Club and, although Saxton’s strong Kazakh showing came on the neighbouring Zhailjau Golf Resort, he knows he can deliver a big result when it matters.
“I need to have a good week,” he said. “I’ve been playing well and I really hope I can get it going in Almaty again, and hopefully after that as well – I did it at the right time last year.
“Obviously it’s a different course but I’ve been playing ok lately, I’m looking forward to some hot weather as well, and after last year I’m hoping for another good week.
“It’s a big week for everyone. My preparation last year was a little bit different, given its importance, because I took two weeks off before it and went out there quite early.
“I did a little bit more work in advance of the tournament last year and I changed something in my swing and I really got it going.”
Just six tournaments remain on the Road to Oman before the top 15 in the Rankings secure European Tour cards for next season and, with 72,000 points on offer to the winner this week, the Kazakhstan Open is sure to have a big impact on who will graduate.
Saxton currently lies in 64th place in the Rankings following a strong showing at the Irish Challenge hosted by Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort, where he finished in a share of 15th place, but he knows it is the next couple of months that will define everyone’s season.
“It’s a little bit closer now in the Rankings, compared to last year,” he said. “Any win and you’re right back up there and if I can finish the year well, you never know.
“I’ve played fairly well, the results have been very consistent even though my game hasn’t been that consistent, so I need a good result and if I can put all of my game together I think that can happen.
“I need a good result or two to get into the final few events of the year and if you’re in those then anything can happen, so hopefully another good week in Kazakhstan can help that and bring the top 15 back into view.”
