Three spots in The Open up for grabs in South Africa – Lindell: "This week is like a qualifier for The Open – the goal is to be among the top three."
Oliver Lindell returns to action on the DP World Tour after a two-week break at the Investec South African Open Championship in South Africa, which begins on Thursday. He enters the competition with the highest ranking of his career after finishing fifth in Qatar. Lindell was in contention for the win on the final day, leading the tournament on Sunday after the front nine. Lindell, who is in good form, has a special opportunity to build on his success in this week’s tournament.
“The three best players who have not yet secured a place in The Open will have the opportunity to do so this week. That is why we are here. The course is in rough shape. At the beginning of the week, the weather was calm and the course felt easy, as you could repeatedly hit from the fairway. Today, the wind was stronger in the Pro-Am, and we also got to test the rough, which is crazy in places. The rough is broad-leaved grass that the ball sinks deep into. From there, you may have to hit only with a wedge to get on the fairway,” said Lindell.
“My attitude towards this week is that it’s like a qualifier for the Open, and I’m aiming to be among the top three. The best player will also get a place in the Masters. Despite the tight rough, we’ll be hitting our drives from the tee every time.”
The situation at the start of the second season is different from that of the debut season. The Porvoo native is one of the favourites to win the competition week after week and has been named DP World Tour’s “Player in Focus” of the month, which means he is being followed more closely than usual on social media, among other places. In the competition, this is reflected in his rise to the so-called “hot” starting groups. Lindell, who has climbed to 22nd place in the DPWT rankings, will play his opening round with fellow Finns Shaun Norris and Branden Grace.
Lindell has not felt any particular pressure from the increased attention and media obligations, but instead turns the well-deserved attention into something positive.
“This week, I’m apparently in the TV groups that are being filmed for broadcast. There’s nothing strange about the increased attention; it’s nice to be able to watch your own game at home on TV. It’s nicer this way than having the film crews show up as a surprise on the weekend after you’ve had a chance to play the first few rounds in peace,” Lindell mused.
South Africans are known to be strong favourites on their home turf. This is evident from the fact that the winner of this week’s competition has been a domestic player for the past six years in a row, including Grace. Also at the starting line is Ernie Els, winner of the 2011 season, who has not been seen on the course in recent seasons outside of senior competitions. Els’s CV includes a modest four major wins from years past. Alongside Lindell, the South Africans’ biggest threats are likely to be Patrick Reed, who is in top form, and Spain’s Angel Ayora, who is also chasing his first career victory.
Lindell and the South African duo will tee off for their opening round on Thursday at 12:40 p.m.