Jacques Kruyswijk is excited to be teeing it up at this week’s BMW SA Open Championship as a full member of the European Tour and intends to bring his natural aggressive game to Glendower.
‘The aim for this week is to try to keep it on the fairways,’ Kruyswijk says of his strategy this week.
‘But, still play aggressive, but play within yourself. You really don’t want to miss the fairways around the greens here. You want to try and keep it on the short grass.’
Kruyswijk earned his European Tour card towards the end of last year via the gruelling six days of qualifying school and is determined to get his European Tour career off to a great start at Glendower this week.
‘It feels fantastic to be teeing it up as a full member,’ he told the Sunshine Tour website.
‘It’s something I have been working towards for so long, so to get this 2018 off to a high is a goal of mine. Especially because it’s SA Open. It’s going to be a good week.’
While the reigning Lion of Africa Cape Town Open champion did not do too well here after he finished in a share of 57th last season, he intends to make amends when he tees off here on Thursday.
And, with the ground staff at Glendower working hard over the festive break to ensure the golf course is in an immaculate condition to host the second oldest open championship in the world, the 25-year-old professional, who plays out of Centurion Country Club, is itching to get going.
‘At this stage the course is playing a little bit soft, so hopefully they can firm it out before the event starts. That’s going to add a little bit to the spin; lesser spin. So, the approach shot is going to be crucial this week.
‘I am looking forward to this week. I had a very good break. I had some time to focus a little bit on my fitness again. I am feeling very prepared this week and very excited.’
While getting his European Tour card might have been Kruyswijk’s highlight for the season so far, he will look to improve on the share of 49th he got at Joburg Open a month ago.
Photo: Luke Walker/Sunshine Tour/Gallo Images
