Jacques Blaauw believes Sishen will be a true test of skill and is looking forward to returning to a scene where he tasted success.
The Northern Cape marks the beginning of this season’s Vodacom Origins of Golf series and Blaauw is itching to get going. He hasn’t played the course since some of the greens received a makeover, but relishes returning to the scene where he defeated Theunis Spangenberg a playoff to win the 2016-17 edition of the Vodacom Origins of Golf in Sishen.
‘I like that course,’ says the five-time Sunshine Tour winner.
‘I hear they did work on the greens, so I assume there will be some changes but it will still prove to be a good test. It’s sort of a tree-lined course, so being able to shape your shots both ways is going to be important.
‘For me, the last time we played there I thought accuracy off the tee was crucial because the course is tree-lined and you want to stay on the fairways. Your tee shots have to be on the right spots so that you can have opportunities.’
While he has not won since his victory in Sishen, Blaauw has given himself opportunities for another victory since his return from the United States in August last year for the Vodacom Origins of Golf in Selborne where he came third.
‘My game has been there since I returned from the States,’ he says with intent.
‘I just need to put together three rounds, you know. For now, it feels like that one round is letting me down but it will get there.’
The competitive environment is key to Blaauw’s preparation for European Tour Qualifying School.
‘I will be going to one of the European Tour Qualifying Schools in Austria and for me, this week also means preparation for that. I want to become a full member of the European Tour and I think this week will provide a test for me to see what I should work on ahead of next month’s trip to Austria.’
Blaauw has missed one cut this season – at the KCB Karen Masters – and his highest finish up to now is the third place he got in the Mopani Redpath Zambia Open.
