Antoine Rozner admits there is no better way to finish off his calendar year than by teeing it up in the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open as he looks to create more fond memories on the idyllic island.
The Frenchman made his first ever start on the DP World Tour in this event in 2018 and in 2020 he lost out to Rasmus Højgaard in play-off in Mauritius shortly after graduating from the Challenge Tour.
Rozner has since gone on to claim two Tour titles in Dubai and Qatar respectively and he now has the opportunity to make it three in as many years in the final event of the DP World Tour’s 50th anniversary year.
“I have a lot of good memories here [in Mauritius],” he said. “I played my very first professional event here, my first experience on the DP World Tour was in Mauritius and in 2020 I lost in a play-off so I have a lot of really good memories here.”
The 29-year-old is making his second appearance of the season after missing the cut at last week’s Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek in South Africa.
This will be his third appearance at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open and on each occasion he has played at a different course, with Mont Choisy Le Golf the new host venue as the tournament returns for the first time since the 2020 season.
Asked for his initial thoughts on the layout in the northern region of the island, he said: “From what I have heard, all the courses in Mauritius are pretty similar. It is pretty open off the tee but the wind is very strong this week so you are going to have to precise with the second shot, put the ball in the right place.
“You don’t want to give yourself a chip downwind, downhill [as] it is going to be really hard. Strategy is going to be very key. I heard a lot of the greens are undulating.”
Rozner will be joined by South African pair Ockie Strydom, who secured his maiden DP World Tour victory at last week’s Alfred Dunhill Championship, and Dean Burmester in the opening two rounds and he is relishing the opportunity to tee it up in Mauritius.
“It’s beautiful. It’s windy, it’s hot but it is paradise,” he said. “It is the best place you can dream of to finish the year before going back home for Christmas in the cold. I love it, every time I come here it is a privilege, so I am very pleased to be here.
“Guys come here to enjoy themselves after the round, disconnect from golf. My girlfriend is with me as well, so it is a really nice way to finish the year, so I am really excited.”
