By Mathieu Wood
A lot has changed for Matthieu Pavon since he last played on the DP World Tour. His status in world golf has elevated unimaginably.
After a stunning late-season run of form last year, including his breakthrough win on the DP World Tour in Spain, earned him dual membership on the PGA TOUR, the Frenchman has continued his remarkable rise to wider prominence stateside.
In just his 11th PGA TOUR start, and perhaps most importantly the third of his rookie season, Pavon claimed a one-shot victory in the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in January.
The win – which saw him become the first Frenchman to win on the PGA TOUR since Arnaud Massy at The Open in 1907 – has transformed the outlook of the affable 31-year-old’s career. His missed cut at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open in December is all but a distant memory.
Ahead of the Porsche Singapore Classic, Pavon is coming into this week's stop in the Far East after making his debut at THE PLAYERS Championship, while he has a maiden appearance at The Masters to look forward to next month among a host of rewards for his win in California.
"I'm feeling great," he said. "I'm so happy to come back and play on the DP World Tour. All my friends are here this week. It's all about sharing a good time with them."
In his seven starts on the PGA TOUR so far this year, Pavon has registered two top 10s including a third-place finish at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am the week after the Farmers Insurance Open to sit a lofty sixth on the FedExCup Rankings.
"That was a very nice stretch," he reflected. "I can't really… I'm still dreaming a little bit about it. It was just overall an awesome experience and a life changer.
"I mean now I'm guaranteed to play on the PGA Tour until 2026. So it's all I dreamed about when I was kid."
World Number 27 Pavon is the highest ranked player in the field this week at Laguna National Golf Club Resort, where he finished in a tie for sixth in last year’s inaugural edition of the tournament.
As if optimism wasn’t high enough, he also has fond memories of a course which is notable for its sloping fairways and greens.
Having only arrived in Singapore on Tuesday after travelling out from the United States, he had yet to play a practice round by the time he spoke to the DP World Tour but is relishing the test ahead.
"I think it can be a tricky course if it's blowing over here," he said. "I mean, some of the zones where you can get the pins on are tricky. So I think it's a good test test of golf. I really enjoy that golf course for sure.
"It is really hot here, very humid, so you definitely use your mind and your body. Staying hydrated and feeling fresh for the next day are keys this week for sure."
