Forsyth braced for 'Groundhog Day'
14/04/2005 - 07:20:22Alastair Forsyth had hoped he might never have to come back to San Roque on Spain’s Costa del Sol.
The 29-year-old Scot has nothing against the course. Far from it, in fact, having won on it.
But for years San Roque has been associated with the European Tour qualifying school and having made two visits, Forsyth was looking for his career to take off so that a third would be unnecessary.
It did, yet he is still back this week. Not for the school, however, but for the 79th staging of the Spanish Open.
“I like the course, but I’ve mixed memories obviously,” said Forsyth before today’s first round.
“I won in 1999 the first time I came, but two years later I didn’t get my card back. The qualifying school is totally different to anything else we do - you’re not looking for a trophy, just to survive it.
“Once you’ve been on tour it’s the last place you want to find yourself. And being a six-round tournament it’s a real marathon and it becomes a bit like Groundhog Day.
“You drive down the same road, go into the same restaurants and just try to get through it without messing things up.
“It ought to help this week, though, because I’ve got to know the course so well and I’ve had success on it.”
Many of the players from last November’s school are back as well, their chance to shine coming because none of the European contingent at last week’s Masters have entered.
The top-ranked player is Paul McGinley, 64th in the world and bitterly disappointed that he wasn’t able to get into the top 50 in time for Augusta and the other big events that have already been held this season.
“The bottom line is that unless you are in those you’re treading water,” said the Dubliner.
“I’ve had a good start to the season (he was fourth in Malaysia and lost a play-off to Paul Casey in China), but I’m way down the Order of Merit.
“Of course it hurts sitting at home watching the Masters – and the Match Play and the TPC. But unless you are in the top 50 then you have to face the music and the music is that you’re not in the tournament.
“We’re playing for so few ranking points over in Asia that it’s hard to make progress. It’s tough to take, but at the end of the day I was playing the same tournaments at the end of last year that most guys were and they managed to get into the top 50 and I didn’t.
“Ian Poulter won the Volvo Masters to jump into the top 50 and look at the start to the season he had (Poulter reached the semi-finals of the Match Play in California).
“It’s all about performing well. I haven’t done it and I’ve no complaints. I have to keep going at it.”
He is back in China in two weeks’ time.
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