South African Jaco Van Zyl declared his "season starts here” as he fine-tuned his game in preparation for this week’s AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open.
The 37 year old had high hopes for 2016 after finishing a career-best 21st in the Race to Dubai last year, courtesy a handful of impressive performances in lucrative events, namely the Open de France, where he was third, and the Turkish Airlines Open, where he was runner-up.
Things have not quite gone to plan, however, with a tied tenth finish at the Tshwane Open in February his best showing so far, and he is ready to turn things around at the stunning Four Seasons Golf Club at Anahita.
“I’ve been doing a lot of work on my short game these last couple of weeks that I’ve had off,” said Van Zyl. “That isn’t really like me – normally when I take a break I take a break. So I’m just really excited to test it out and get in the swing of things.
“My season starts here this week. There are a couple of majors coming up and hopefully the Olympics. I’m playing three events in a row starting this week, so after a very slow start to the year I’m hoping to get going now.”
With strong winds forecast for the picturesque holiday isle, Van Zyl believes the 7,500-yard, par-72 course will be a tricky prospect.
“It’s going to be interesting,” he said. “I enjoy playing in the wind. You need to create shots and work the golf ball a little bit, so it’s not too technical. If the wind keeps blowing like this it’s going to be a great test.
“It’s a great golf course and I’m very exblockquoted. There are worse places in the world to be!”
Jaco Van Zyl
Van Zyl is currently in position to qualify for the Olympic Games – with Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel having ruled themselves out of selection – at 62nd in the Official World Golf Ranking.
“I’d love to go and represent my country,” he said.
Asked whether he would prefer a Green Jacket or an Olympic medal, he replied: “I’ve always had two dreams to play in two events – the Million Dollar Challenge (now the Nedbank Golf Challenge) and the Masters. It would be great to walk away with an Olympic medal, but I think the Green Jacket is the ultimate goal.”
