Adrian Otaegui is “confident” going into the upcoming Volvo China Open, but the defending champion stops short of predicting he can become the first to achieve a successful title defence of the national championship.
With the US$2.55 million tournament teeing off April 17 at Enhance Anting Golf Club, only Frenchman Alexander Levy has won the championship twice, his titles coming in 2014 and 2017, respectively. Otaegui said winning any tournament twice was a huge achievement, but he would not put any pressure on himself to “repeat” coming into Shanghai.
“To be honest I just want to do well,” said the 32-year-old San Sebastian native. “We have a new venue this year and I think the conditions will be very different to last year. It looks like it will be colder than last year, but I’m really looking forward to getting to Shanghai and I will try to defend my title the best I can.”
Otaegui, who has switched nationality from Spain to United Arab Emirates, pulled off an improbable victory at last year’s Volvo China Open when he overcame a five-shot deficit in the final round of the rain-shortened championship to win by one stroke at Hidden Grace Golf Club in Shenzhen.
The victory was his fifth on the DP World Tour title and earned him a spot in the field for the PGA Championship.
“It was a fantastic win on a course that I really like. I was maybe seven shots behind and I managed to go seven-under par on Sunday. I played really well and felt really good on the golf course. The memories are amazing. It was my first win with my wife with me, which was so special,” said Otaegui.
“Winning any tournament is very special. I just want to do the best I can and the Volvo China Open has a great history with a long list of winners. I want to be in contention on Sunday and that is what motivates me.”
As a regular visitor to the country since 2014 when he finished equal 19th at the Volvo China Open in Shenzhen, Otaegui said he was impressed by the rapid development of China’s golf scene and the steady stream of international-level pros it has produced.
In 2016, he got a close-up view to just how good the young Chinese pros are when he finished runner-up to Wu Ashun at the Lyoness Open in Austria. In 2018, Otaegui, himself, came close to winning his first Volvo China Open title when he finished runner-up behind Sweden’s Alexander Björk in Beijing, a three-putt on the 17th hole during the final round sealing his fate.
“The DP World Tour has been going to China for many years now and this tournament has been so important for golf in China. China is producing some brilliant golfers and Li Haotong is a great example of someone who was ready to win on Tour from such a young age. Ding Wenyi is also very promising. I expect there will be some other brilliant players in the future.”
Coming into Shanghai after missing the cut at last month’s Hero Indian Open in New Delhi, the Dubai-based Otaegui admits that the start of his year hasn’t been great, but hopefully he could rekindle fond memories of his China victory and turn things around at Enhance Anting.
This season, he has made six cuts in ten events played, his best being a tie for 24th at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in December.
“I am playing the two events in China (the Volvo China Open and Hainan Classic). I’m feeling confident,” he said.
“I would love to win in China and it would be special. Defending a title is always a great feeling and hopefully I can do that.”
