Angel Ayora may be in his rookie season on the DP World Tour, but he is setting his ambitions high ahead of his Investec South African Open Championship debut.
The Spaniard, who turned 20 in October, made the switch to the professional ranks after a promising amateur career which culminated with the 2023 Eisenhower Trophy.
He began the 2024 HotelPlanner Tour season playing on invites before going on to end the year fourth on the Road to Mallorca Rankings, recording a maiden win and six other top tens in the process.
With four top 20s in his first eight starts on the DP World Tour, Ayora sits 20th on the Race to Dubai Rankings and his form has given him encouragement he can earn dual membership with the PGA TOUR at the end of the year.
“My big goal this season is [to secure] one of the PGA TOUR cards,” he said.
“What I have got in my mind right now is to improve my game every week, every round and to enjoy the process.”
After making a quick transition to the DP World Tour, Ayora credited the HotelPlanner Tour in December with preparing him for the next step.
He has taken inspiration from Jesper Svensson and Matteo Manassero, both of whom earned dual membership having gone from the HotelPlanner Tour to the PGA TOUR in less than two years.
But he is aware consistency will be key if he is to emulate their achievements.
Asked what was the secret to his remarkable rise, he said with a laugh: “I don’t know. Just play, take it easy, and try to improve every part of my game.”
Ayora has played at several venues for the first time this season already and that continues this week at Durban Country Club, but conditions in South Africa are something he is familiar with from the HotelPlanner Tour.
“I am very excited to play here. It is my first South African Open on the DP World Tour," he said.
“It looks very good with the beach in front, and then a lot of trees. It is a mix between forest and beach.
“The course looks very nice, narrow, which is good for me. One of my strengths is the driver, and iron play. The greens look very quick, and the condition is perfect.
“I love South Africa and to have a win would be very special for me. A very good week would also be very good for me.”
