Adri Arnaus is hoping being back on home soil at the acciona Open de España presented by Madrid sparks a strong finish to a challenging season on the DP World Tour.
With just five events left for players to retain their DP World Tour card via the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex, Arnaus sits 129th on the season-long standings – 15 places outside the provisional cut off.
But a good week in his national open will go a long way to easing fears over his playing privileges for next season, and he got off to the ideal start in the Spanish capital with a three-under-par 68 to sit one behind early clubhouse leader Julien Guerrier at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid.
And having finished second at this event in 2021, and with fond memories of winning his sole DP World Tour title to date at the Catalunya Championship in 2022, Arnaus is feeling positive about playing in his homeland.
“It's been not an easy season, but you know, I’m always looking forward to the next day, to the next tournament, and yeah, obviously I feel the vibe here in Spain,” he said.
“So I'm looking forward to the next three days.”
Arnaus, who has qualified for the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in four of the last five years, has made eight cuts in his 24 starts so far this campaign, with just two of those coming since he finished tied fifth at the Italian Open presented by Regione Emilia-Romagna in June.
Among the early wave of starters off the tenth tee in the first round, Arnaus was level par for his opening nine holes but found some momentum on his back nine as he made three birdies in a four-hole stretch from the fourth through to the seventh.
And on a course which has tight holes and small greens, the challenge was made harder in gusty conditions.
"I'm really proud, honestly, because it's a very tricky course and even more with these conditions.
"So, I just kept it in play quite well and I took advantage of some opportunities. Yeah, happy with day one.
"The thing about it, one bogey, is the best you can ask, really, with these conditions.
"I just tried to play steady golf, even though it wasn't easy, but actually on the back nine, I felt like I had a few opportunities, so I'm happy with that."
