Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño hopes to build on his impressive Masters Tournament showing when he lines up on home soil at the Open de España this week.
The 32 year old finished in the top 20 at Augusta National – his best result in a Major Championship – part of an impressive run of form that has seen him miss just one cut since winning last year’s BMW Italian Open.
“I am delighted to be in Valencia, obviously tired coming straight from Augusta but happy to be in Spain,” said Fernandez-Castaño.
“I already had a great paella and feel ready to enjoy this week at home!
“El Saler is a spectacular golf course probably the best in Spain, a true masterpiece by our star architect Javier Arana. I know the course well, though I haven’t played it for the last seven years, and I’m really looking forward to getting started.
“It’s an indescribable course, there aren’t many left like it, a work of art that must be kept and cared for as if it were a Goya or a Picasso. Hopefully we will get some wind, which is its main defence, to add to the spectacle.
“It’s a shame that we have only one event in Spain this year, and that’s the reason why I am here. Had it been a different tournament, I would have taken a break, but it’s my national Open. I know that Reale and the other sponsors, together with the Federation have made a great effort to maintain it, so I’m happy to support it.
“I don’t have the best of records in the Open de España and you get pretty tired after a Major, but hopefully I can be up there if my short game is okay.
“I am bittersweet about the Masters because I feel I could have done better, although I was there over the weekend and I played with Tiger on Saturday. I had already played with him, but Augusta made it more special.
“I am very active on Twitter, and after my first round I was delighted to get a tweet from Gary Player. He congratulated me on my round and gave me some advice on my putting.”
