Kiradech Aphibarnrat and George Coetzee, two of The European Tour’s form players, are looking forward to some well-earned relaxation in Mauritius this week – but only after the serious business of competing in the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open.
Shenzhen International winner Kiradech Aphibarnrat hopes to “clear his mind” after a hectic April which also saw him contend for the Volvo China Open.
“It’s good for me - I feel I can clear my mind,” said the Thai, whose win in China was his second on The European Tour. “I’ve been playing serious golf for the last few weeks.
“This helps clear my mind and helps me get ready for this week and the rest of the season.
“I’m more than ready to play: my golf is solid, my confidence is ready to go. I’m looking forward to Sunday. It’ll be a tight tournament I think.
“I’m striking the ball solid and I have confidence to play. The main thing is I know how to swing it and I can get back to my best form.”
One of Aphibarnrat’s priorities is to secure a place in the Official World Golf Ranking’s top 50, having climbed from 135th to 77th already in 2015.
“It’s one of my goals,” he added. “If I can keep my form, I think I can get into the top-50 easily. It’s very close right now. I am hitting it good and I don’t think it’s too difficult to get in.”
Coetzee has also enjoyed some early success on The Race to Dubai this season, securing an emotional triumph at his home Pretoria GC club at the Tshwane Open.
But the South African admits the beach may provide something of a distraction at the stunning Heritage Golf Club.
“I’m actually looking forward to finishing my round so I can get back out on the beach, but it should be a fun week - it’s always nice to come to a place like this,” he said.
“I haven’t been to a tournament in a long time where you get so many activities off the golf course.
“You can get to have a lot more fun and do a lot less prep work for the tournament, but I hope that means I’ll be better rested for it.
“Winning the Tshwane Open has been great; it’s taken a lot of pressure off the rest of the season.
“It’s hard to play for your card every year, but luckily the Tshwane Open was big enough to give me a two-year exemption. It means I can work on some stuff, take it slow and just enjoy my golf while I’m playing it.”
