Thomas Pieters arrives for the first title defence of his professional career at this week’s D+D REAL Czech Masters, on the back of what he describes as the “one of the best weeks of my life” at the Olympics.
The young Belgian just missed out on a podium finish in Rio, taking fourth place after an impressive final round 65 at the Olympic Golf Course.
He will take that form to the venue of his maiden European Tour victory, a win which was followed two weeks later by a second title, both of which went a long way to earning Pieters his place at the Olympics.
The 24 year old is relishing his return to Prague at a course which has undergone some subtle but challenging changes.
“It’s my first time back at a tournament I won so it feels good to be here and we’ll see how it goes,” said the Antwerp player. “The best memories are of having my whole family here and having Nicolas (Colsaerts) at the end of the tournament. That was quite special for me.
“It’s a new tournament, a new year, and everybody has the same chance this week so I’ll have to play some good golf to give myself a chance on Sunday afternoon.
“They’ve put some new water hazards into play for this year so it should be interesting and it will probably be slightly higher scoring. It’s more a risk and reward now because you have to take on some water whereas last year you could get away with missed shots.
“The fans do support the game here, there was a good turn-out on Sunday last year and hopefully more will come out this year. They’re doing a lot of promotion here and I see a lot of banners out on the streets, so I hope a lot of people come along.”
The Olympics was one of the best weeks of my life and I’ll probably keep saying that until Tokyo! - Thomas Pieters
Pieters is still buzzing from his week representing Belgium alongside 2012 Ryder Cup hero Nicolas Colsaerts and he is already targeting a return when the Olympics visits Tokyo in 2020.
“The Olympics was brilliant,” he said. “These things do nothing but good for the game and if you think that two billion people watched the Olympics, it was just an unbelievable experience, unlike anything I’ve ever done before. It was one of the best weeks of my life and I’ll probably keep saying that until Tokyo!
“You feel very proud to represent your country. On Sunday I was really disappointed to miss out on a medal but to see what it does for your country - every newspaper that doesn’t usually write about golf covered it. It has big effects back home.
“Just playing in the Olympics was a career highlight – obviously I would have loved to have won a medal for my country but it’ll have to wait four more years. I think that’s what makes it so special – when you play in it you realise how important it is.
“It’s top of the list for me, the next Olympics, right next to the Majors. To win a medal someday would be extra special.”
