Thomas Pieters returns to scene of past glory in Prague ‘ready and refreshed’ 

Thomas Pieters is feeling refreshed and excited as he bids for another title challenge in Prague at the 2022 D+D Real Czech Masters.

The Belgian, who claimed his maiden DP World Tour title at Albatross Golf Resort in 2015, returns to the venue for the first time since he won the event for a second time four years later in 2019.

Pieters spent time away from the game with his family during a month-long break since finishing tied 28th at The 150th Open at St Andrews, and the 30-year-old admits he found it difficult not to look ahead to an event which has brought him previous success.

“I look forward to competing,” he said. “I do miss it after a good two weeks, being in the heat of things. I’m just looking forward to this week.

“I really enjoy the course. I just look forward to playing it. Even the last two weeks thinking about the tournament, imagining some of the lines over the bunkers, I have been doing a lot of work at home with my coach. I feel ready and refreshed.”

Already a winner this season in Abu Dhabi, Pieters is currently sixth on the DP World Tour Rankings in Partnership with Rolex but is set to miss the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai in November as it clashes with the due date for his second child.

“When we got the due date for the baby, I did check my phone straight away to see when the DP World Tour Championship was,” he said.

“It is obviously unfortunate, but I am never going to miss the birth of my child. I have taken peace with the fact I am not going to be playing in Dubai and the season is going to be cut short. But that is just the way it is. I am going to be playing for another 10-15 years so it’s just life.”

Pieters came to wider prominence when he became the first European rookie to win four points at the 2016 Ryder Cup, an event he is eager to experience for the second time at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club next September.

Asked what his immediate goals are, he replied: “I don’t think winning the DP World Tour Rankings will be possible because I am going to miss some of the big events but that was on my mind starting the season. I have had a good season, but consistency wise I think I can improve.

“I want to play in Rome in my second Ryder Cup and that is probably my biggest goal for now.”

Another member of Darren Clarke’s Ryder Cup team at Hazeltine six years ago was Rafa Cabrera Bello, who believes his game is trending in the right direction as he prepares to make his first appearance in Prague.

The Spaniard won his fourth Tour title on home soil at the Acciona Open de España last year and was close to landing a second Rolex Series title at the Genesis Scottish Open in July, before he fell out of contention in the final round at The Renaissance Club.

“I feel like I am hitting the ball much better the last couple of months,” the 38-year-old said.

“I was close to posting a great week in Scotland, but I had an unfortunate last round. I do feel like the game is coming back and a good result is boiling away so hopefully it comes this week.”

Despite being in new surroundings, Cabrera Bello’s first impressions of the Albatross Golf Resort are positive after playing 11 holes in practice on Tuesday.

“The course is looking in good shape,” he said. “It was my first time out there. It looks generous off the tee, lots of chances to hit driver and there are big greens, so I think there is a lot of room for birdies out there.

“You want to drive it long, but I did feel like there was some movement in the greens. Like with every event you need most of your game to be good. Driving can have a little extra importance this week but also need to hit you approaches close and hole some putts.”