Marcel Siem says he is embracing the “nice pressure” of playing at ‘home’ in the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open as he enjoys the spotlight as the local favourite.
Since relocating to the Indian Ocean island last year, the co-sanctioned DP World Tour and Sunshine Tour event has taken on greater significance for the German-born player.
Siem will forever be closely associated with the BMW International Open, with his parents having run the catering club at Golfclub München Eichenried when he was a youngster.
However, he is raring to go this week after missing last week's Alfred Dunhill Championship as he targets a strong finish to the calendar year.
“It’s special,” he said. “Before I lived in Germany and playing the BMW was always a lot of pressure but it's a nice pressure and here now it's really, really cool.
“It's a different pressure. It's a different vibe.
“I prepared really hard last week. I took Leopard Creek (the Alfred Dunhil off to prepare for this week, and I can't wait.
"There are a lot of friends coming and I even have a friend on my back this week caddying for me. The kids are coming, my wife is coming on Wednesday, so it's really, really cool.”
Now into its eighth edition, the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open is returning to Mont Choisy Le Golf for the second time in three years after first hosting the €1.5 million event in 2022.
Siem, who has finished in the top 20 at each of the last two editions, has formed a strong attachment to the island and is hopeful he can give something back to the next generations in time.
“The event is growing every year, and kids are approaching me and asking for tips as well,” added the six-time DP World Tour winner.
“If I can give something back here soon, I will do it for sure. I would love to do that and it's great to see, absolutely loving it.”
Despite being sidelined for three months with a hip injury earlier in the year, Siem won his second DP World Tour title in as many seasons in Italy in June.
And the 44-year-old admits it’s been a challenge managing expectations over recent months.
“After my surgery, I was struggling with my fitness level all year because you do the rehab stuff, but then all of a sudden you feel the pressure to play again and the travelling, so I felt very flat at the Nedbank (earlier this month).
“It was actually my worst result for years now unfortunately.
“So, I decided not to play Leopard and get my physio over. We worked really hard in the gym, a bit more technique stuff on the range and I'm in good shape.”
