After a season in which, at last, after three years of “drought”, the triumphs came and he returned to be the idol that all the fans expect, Sergio faces this new season more relaxed, with the maturity that gives him his 32 years recently completed and the emotional balance of knowing that his game returns to bewitch with the magic of yesteryear.
You closed the year as the best Spaniard in the world rankings (17th) and you have two consecutive victories on the European Tour. What have been the keys to your recovery after your three-year journey without a victory?
-I think 2011 had been a pretty positive year even before winning in Castellón and Valderrama, but obviously these two victories have been incredible because of what Castellón and Valderrama mean to me. The keys have been to get back to the feeling of playing and enjoying myself more, both on and off the course.
-What sporting goals have you set – if any – for 2012?
-The truth is that I have not set any specific goal, but obviously I want to continue working in the same line as in 2011 and continue to give me options to win tournaments on Sunday.
-At the age of 32 and with 12 years as a professional behind him, if he had to keep a memorable moment of his career, what would it be?
-I couldn’t tell you just one. Obviously, the Ryder Cups, winning The Players Championship, the two tournaments won in Castellón, winning at Valderrama because of the history of the course and the fact that no Spaniard had ever won it.
-What victory that you had within reach and didn’t achieve has hurt you the most?
-The 2007 British Open.
-Do you see yourself as having a chance to climb back up the rankings and get into the top five?
-A few years ago I used to worry about the rankings; now I only worry about giving the best I have and, if that makes me reach the top five in the world rankings, good for me.
-Do you think we will ever see the Tiger of yesteryear, the ‘extraterrestrial’ who dominated world golf?
-Tiger has proven for more than a decade that he has been the best player in the world and possibly in history. I am sure he will win many tournaments again until he retires, but I don’t think he will reach the ‘extraterrestrial’ level he had for example in 2000.
-I’m sorry, because you must have been given a lot of flack about it, but what does it mean for you not to have won a Grand Prix?
-Well, nothing really. Obviously, it would be great if I had won one, but it’s not the end of the world. What is clear is that I’m going to keep working to win one.
How do you see the present and future of Spanish professional golf, and are you betting on any up-and-coming stars?
-The present is pretty well covered with many great players. As for the future, I think there are very good players coming from below that in a few years will give us a lot of joy.
-Do you see any difference in the world’s major circuits from when you started as a professional to what they are like today, and do you think that, generally speaking, things have gotten better or worse for professionals?
-I think things have changed for the better since I turned professional in 1999 on all circuits. Golf has grown as a sport not only in Spain but also in Asia and South America, among other areas, and that is always good news for our sport.
-You have recently signed a contract to design your first golf course, in China. What do you think are the keys to designing a great course?
-In this case, the course is a links course and we have a spectacular site in Qinhuangdao. I think the keys to a good design are that the course represents a good test for the professionals and at the same time is a course that amateurs can also enjoy.
-Now that you are a year away from reaching the average age at which men get married in Spain, do you think you will be able to meet that statistical average or is vocational bachelorhood your thing?
-I would like to get married and have children in the future, although I don’t know when that will be. I will let you know if I meet the statistics or not.
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