Julian Suri says he is hoping for a result this week as he makes his return to the Open de Portugal for the first time since 2017
Julian Suri is making his return to the Open de Portugal for the first time since he finished second to Matt Wallace during the 2017 contest at Morgado Golf Resort, where the Englishman claimed his first European Tour victory.
It was a notable year for Suri, who earned his own maiden title at the Made in Denmark a few months later, and played his way into the top 100 in the Official World Golf Rankings.
Three years later, the American is hoping a good week in Portugal can re-inspire that form and see him rise up the ranks once more.
"Obviously I’m looking for a result," said Suri, who was side-lined with injury at the start of the year.
"I’m looking to get my world ranking up, get my Race to Dubai position up and just get in contention. It’s been a bit of a while for me, I was out with an injury at the beginning of the year and then the lockdown stuff. I want to get the juices flowing a little bit."
Following injury and the break in the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Suri's first start of the 2020 season came during the Betfred British Masters hosted by Lee Westwood.
He went on to play in all six of the UK Swing events, with a best finish of tied 39th at the ISPS HANDA Wales Open.
He now heads for a new test at Royal Obidos following a tie for 50th at last week's Portugal Masters, and is keen to reflect on the positives of his most recent performance.
"I made the cut," Suri said. "It wasn’t anything amazing result-wise but I feel like my game is really trending in the right direction. I had one round over par and the rest of the rounds even par on a course where you can make some big numbers with the thick rough. I feel like it’s baby steps every day, every week.
"It was a different course back in 2017 but I love this area. Always good food and good weather out here – knock on wood – so I’m hoping for more of the same and more birdies too.
"The greens here are fairly receptive so you can shoot at a lot of the flags. If the wind comes up that adds another variable of challenge, but it’s the same course for everybody. It’s in great shape, so looking forward to it.
"I drove up Sunday night to Lisbon then came over here yesterday. It’s nice, it’s sunny, it was a long day Sunday but the scenery is beautiful with mountains and all sorts of foliage. I love coming here.
"It’s a good spot. The last two weeks has been great, get a bit of sunshine before going back to the UK and not getting that! I always enjoy coming here and the courses here, so should be fun.
