Nico Geyger is looking forward to turning the clock back in Dříteč this week, where he will attempt to recapture the sizzling form he showed at last season’s D+D REAL Czech Challenge.
The Chilean led in the Czech Republic after 54 holes last year, reaching 15 under par after shooting three rounds in the 60s – much to the delight of his cousins Markus and Thomas Schmidt who were following him around.
And while the 29 year old could not hold on for a maiden European Challenge Tour title, he is raring to go again when he returns to Golf & Spa Kunetická Hora this week.
“It was a really good week for me last year,” said the South American, who made five birdies in a row during his third round to hold a two-shot lead going into the final day.
“It was my first good week here in Europe, it was a good start and I played really well the first three rounds. The last day wasn’t quite as good as I expected or wanted to, but still all around it was a good week and I am feeling good coming back again this year.
“It’s a great course to start with. It’s a great layout and very good facilities, so it keeps you comfortable, and the course last year was in great shape and I’m sure is in good shape this year.
“It just suited my game for some reason. You’ve got to keep it on the fairways and greens, you don’t have to hit it really far, just make a few putts – once you get your putter rolling, anything can happen.”
Geyger, who only started playing on Europe’s top developmental tour last season, has shown flashes of brilliance on the 2016 Road to Oman, most notably at the Turkish Airlines Challenge where he finished tied fifth.
“I’ve been playing really well this season but I’ve been doing my job to start with,” he said. “I’ve been practising, I’ve been putting in the hours that I needed to, and it paid off a little bit in Turkey.
“I want to keep it going, it’s a long year and you want to do well but if I keep giving myself these opportunities I think that at some point it will come my way.
“It can be hard to stay in the moment and not jump ahead sometimes, with the end goal being top 15 at the end of the year, but you have to understand that you’re going to play enough tournaments over the year that you’re going to have some good tournaments and some bad tournaments.
“I’m just trying to take it easy and remind myself that once I get one good week going it can be enough, and at the end you just want to make sure you give yourself chances and not get too stressed out because one or two good events can be enough.”
Although thousands of miles from home, the Chilean can take comfort from the performances of fellow countryman Mark Tullo – who is a three-time winner on the Challenge Tour.
Geyger produced a moment of magic to hole out from 110 yards during a play-off when representing the University of Tulsa
Yet after studying at the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma the Santiago man is used to being away from his homeland, and is enjoying travelling around Europe and beyond.
“I’m staying in Europe for a while. I’ll probably go back home to Chile after Scotland or Denmark for two weeks, regroup myself, relax for a little bit and get ready for the next part of the season. It’s still a long way to go but I’m enjoying it.
“The top 15 is the aim. That’s what we’re here for, that’s what we practise for, to get on the European Tour.”
