Santiago Tarrio may have guaranteed his playing privileges on the DP World Tour for another season, but says he needs to change “a lot of things” as he revealed the psychological struggles he is facing in the sport.
The Spaniard sits one shot off the lead at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters after a bogey-free six-under-par 66 in a weather-affected first round at Doha Golf Club.
Since finishing in a tie for third at the Magical Kenya Open presented by Absa in March, Tarrio has struggled for consistency with just one further top 20 to his name.
The 32-year-old has played in every event possible since the D+D REAL Czech Masters after the summer break, making four of his last six cuts to ensure he will be among the top 116 on the Race to Dubai Rankings in partnership with Rolex by the close of the week.
But despite that providing its own reassurance, Tarrio admits he is still playing with a feeling of self-inflicted stress.
“I never keep calm with myself,” he told the DP World Tour. “Never. Even with a card safe for next year.
“My problem is in my head, there’s a lot of wind inside there, never mind the golf course. I didn’t play my best golf this year, but I’m happy to stay one year more here with the big guys.”
This sport is so hard for your mentality, more than boxing I think
A stellar performance this week could see him climb from 97th to inside the top 60 on the Race to Dubai Rankings in partnership with Rolex and claim a spot at next month’s Nedbank Golf Challenge but that appeared far from the forefront of his mind.
“Maybe I need to change a lot of things, outside the golf course and inside,” he added.
“But I think I have more golf to give. I need to change my mentality sometimes. I need to stay happier on the golf course. Outside the golf course I am better than the inside.
“This sport is so hard for your mentality, more than boxing I think.”
Tarrio, who graduated from the European Challenge Tour in 2021 by finishing third on the Road to Mallorca Rankings, took advantage of calm conditions to sit in a group one behind early pacesetters Scott Jamieson and Daniel Hillier.
“A very good round after a very early wake up,” he said of his flawless start to the week which featured three birdies on both the front and back nine.
“The course was easier early this morning because the wind is coming in. This course is very tough when it’s windy.
“Without wind, when you can hit good tee shots it’s easier because the fairways are narrow. When you catch the fairways you have more birdie opportunities.”
