Spaniard Jorge Campillo will rekindle fond memories when he contests the Credit Suisse Challenge this week, having posted one of his best Challenge Tour performances in the tournament two years ago.
The 25 year old was tied fifth at Wylihof Golf Club, and although the event this year is at a different venue – Golf Sempachersee – he is confident his fine recent form can help him produce another good showing in Switzerland.
Having finished tied second in the Acaya Open last week, Campillo has high hopes of emulating his countryman Rafael Cabrera-Bello, who won the 2008 Credit Suisse Challenge and subsequently went on to become a winner on The European Tour with his victory at the Austrian GolfOpen.
“I have very good memories because it was my best performance so far and it was my first Challenge Tour event,” said Campillo, who currently occupies 14th place in the Challenge Tour Rankings. “It’s at a different course this time, but still you look forward to the tournament because you know you’ve done well in it in the past.
“In 2009 I was just trying to make the cut, and then on the third day I shot six under par, so I was in the second to last group in the last round and had a really good day. I think I finished birdie, par, birdie to finish fifth, so it was a nice start to my Challenge Tour career.
“Rafa won there in 2008 and now he is doing so well on The European Tour. When you see guys from your own country it is even more motivation to do well yourself. The others can pull you up a bit.
“I like this course as much as the other one, although I think the new one is a little easier. There’s a chance it could become more of a putting contest, but it’s the same for everyone and I will try and make as many putts as I can.
“I am playing well and hopefully I will have a chance there as well. I love going to Switzerland – it’s a nice place with good people and good food. It’s a little expensive, but apart from that it’s a great place.”
Italy’s Alessandro Tadini will be defending the title he won at Golf Sempachersee a year ago – his third on the Challenge Tour – and is feeling confident after an encouraging performance on home soil last week, where he finished in a tie for 15th.
“I’m looking forward to going back to Switzerland as defending champion,” he said. “I played a really good tournament there last year, and to win was fantastic. I have very good memories of the course and I know I can play well there, so it gives me extra confidence. But every year is very different, so we’ll have to wait and see.”
André Bossert and Raphaël De Sousa will be leading the home charge, while the Challenge Tour’s latest winner, Jamie Moul, who won the Acaya Open, is also in the field.
