Entering his 18th season on the DP World Tour, Rafa Cabrera Bello is pleased to see hard work off the golf course paying dividends as he is well-placed heading into the weekend at the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship.
The Spaniard’s 2023 campaign ended after the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters after he finished 97th on the season-long Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex, and he made the decision to start his 2024 Race to Dubai in Australia.
The 2016 Ryder Cup player has, however, been a model of consistency since joining the DP World Tour, keeping his card every year since 2009 and consecutive rounds of 68 at Royal Queensland will see him in the mix when Saturday’s third round begins.
“I’m happy,” he said. “I thought I played good. Every aspect of the game has been good enough and the scoring has been good. It’s been a nice start to the season so far.
“I didn’t have a good season last year. I didn’t make it to the final events, normally I’d have taken these weeks off, but I had a forced early end to my season. This is my 18th season as a pro and it’s not often I get to visit two new cities in two weeks – that’s what made me want to come here. I’ve enjoyed it every time I have been in Australia. It’s far to get to, but once you’re here, it’s cool.”
Rather than resting on his laurels, Cabrera Bello worked on his game during the break and credited his performance over the opening two rounds to his iron work.
“I had three weeks off. The first ten-12 days I put the clubs away, and the last week I practiced hard and the last few days of the second week I got back into it. Been working more on my irons, the rest of my game has been good.
“Chipping was really good last year, putting, for the majority of the year, was fine also. Driving, I tend to be very consistent, I’m just not creating that many birdie opportunities and the ones I do create aren’t that good – the irons have taken a toll over the last few years. That’s where I’ve put most of my effort, trying to feel more comfortable hitting a little fade with the irons, that’s the shape I like to see the most. I’m happy to see some progress.”
