Sebastian Soderberg is hoping to draw on the positive memories of last year’s victory in Nairobi as he seeks to become the first European Challenge Tour player to retain a title for 13 years when the Barclays Kenya Open starts the 2017 Road to Oman this week.
The Swede memorably held off the charge of then-amateur Romain Langasque at Karen Country Club to seal a maiden Challenge Tour win by three shots 12 months ago.
This week neighbouring Muthaiga Golf Club plays host, but though Soderberg does not know the course, he is confident his performance last year can inspire him to similar heights as he bids to follow Daniel Vancsik at the 2004 Abierto Telefonica and win the same event in consecutive years.
It hasn't been done for 13 years on the Challenge Tour
— Challenge Tour (@Challenge_Tour) March 21, 2017
Can Soderberg retain his #BKO2017 title this week?https://t.co/cDVkPAGQr0 pic.twitter.com/rDLIgiTgnL
“I have only good memories,” said the 26 year old. “It was my first and only Challenge Tour win so obviously it meant a lot to me, so it’s good to be back.
“I can’t really remember what went well last year, but I think I putted well. I was good off the tee, I didn’t make a lot of mistakes, and I think the putter was probably the key.”
Soderberg carried that form through the early season and looked to be comfortably on his way to graduating to the European Tour through the Road to Oman Rankings before stumbling towards the end of the year.
However, he produced when it mattered at the Final Stage of European Tour Qualifying School to earn a card for this season, though limited playing opportunities so far have led him back to the Challenge Tour for the season-opener.
“It took quite a bit of work towards the end of the season to get there,” he said. “Obviously I would have wanted to take it through the Challenge Tour, get a better category and so on, but it was a lifeline getting through Q-School – I managed to play well there so overall it was a great season.
“It’s been decent. It’s been a few tournaments here and there, and I feel like I’ve had a couple of off-seasons really, back to Thailand to practise, but I’ve played three tournaments and made three cuts so it’s been going ok – hopefully I can build on that.”
This year marks the 25th time the Barclays Kenya Open has formed part of the Challenge Tour schedule and it once again kicks off the new season, which will take in 27 tournaments in 21 countries, all finishing in Muscat for the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final in November.
The ’marathon, not a sprint’ line will be trotted out by many players, but a fast start to the season has undeniable benefits, and Soderberg is more aware of that than anyone as he targets another good week in the Kenyan capital.
“I just want to try to compete, play well, and just get the competitive juices going and we’ll see,” he said. “Hopefully have a chance over the weekend and draw on those memories of last year.
“It always helps coming back somewhere you’ve done well before – it’s hard to tell when it’s a new course, but usually the same events you tend to get a little more comfortable and a little more confident, so hopefully the track will suit me well.”
