AFTER winning the Ras Al Khaimah Challenge Tour Grand Final at Al Hamra Golf Club in late 2018 to graduate to the big stage in style, Adri Arnaus remained in last season’s European Tour rookie-of-the-year conversation right up to November’s DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates. The Spaniard eventually finished 41st in the Race to Dubai standings, highlighted by three runner-up finishes and major championship appearances at Pebble Beach and Royal Portrush. Now a Dubai resident, the 25-year-old has even loftier goals for 2020. Golf Digest Middle East caught up with Arnaus on the eve of this year’s Desert Swing where he will tee it up in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and King Abdullah Economic City.
With the beauty of hindsight, how did your win at the 2018 Ras Al Khaimah Challenge Tour Grand Final, to finish 2nd on the Challenge Tour OOM, help you for your rookie year in the European Tour? Winning the Challenge Tour Grand Final obviously helped me to have a better ranking position going into European Tour but most importantly it proved me that I was ready for it and that I could get it done at the highest level. All year I had been close to winning and to do it on the last one was special.
We read that you got a dog for winning at Al Hamra G.C.? Yeah, that’s right. Another good thing that came with that win was that me and my family got a little Labrador puppy. My dad and I had a bet that when I won on Challenge Tour we would get a dog so it was great to get one by Christmas a year ago.
You’ve obviously enjoyed a great rookie season on the European Tour but how have you found the step up? My first year on tour has been a lot fun. One of the things that made it great are the tougher set ups and the crowds around it. I’ve really enjoyed it.
Denne historien er fra January 2020-utgaven av Golf Digest Middle East.
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Denne historien er fra January 2020-utgaven av Golf Digest Middle East.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Tempting Entrée
INDUSTRY IDENTITIES AND A FORMER SIX NATIONS STAR AMONG THE BIG NAMES ROLLED OUT FOR THE EAGL’S SUMMER DRESS-REHEARSAL
Year of the Comeback
Tour pros of all ages are rediscovering their mojo
THE GOLF STAYCATION PERFECTED
Golf Digest Middle East’s inaugural Play & Stay is coming to Radisson Dubai DAMAC Hills and Trump Dubai
THE GENIUS OF JORDAN
HE WANTED A CONFIDENT, RELIABLE SWING. HE FOUND IT IN A CLEVER WAY
The Starter
The Nairn Golf Club
Undercover Caddie
Think you could carry a 40-pound bag for a living?
DRIVE BLAST PUTT
THREE WAYS TO RAISE YOUR GAME
Get Set - Ball-striking success starts at address
AMATEURS OFTEN STAND OVER THE BALL with their feet too wide apart. I understand the appeal—they want to feel more stable throughout the swing, and a wider stance seems a logical way to achieve that.
Take 5
It’s hot but that’s no excuse not to warm-up before every round and range session
Classic Closer
Our monthly guide to taming the region’s stroke index 1 holes has gone off-piste. Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club professional Matthew Brookes heads to arguably the toughest finishing hole in Middle East golf
