I’m hitting the ball better than ever in my life. I’d say I’ve been like this since the end of last year. Does that mean I’m going to win the next tournament I play? Unfortunately, no. I’ve been in this for quite a few years to know that in golf, two plus two doesn’t always equal four. There aren’t many other sports where this happens. But it is what it is, and we’ve long been used to it.
That said, I’m honestly playing very well. I feel close to doing interesting things. From tee to green, there’s hardly a fault to find. I wouldn’t know if I’ve ever hit it so well from the tee, so consistently, for such a long time in my career. The truth is, I’d say no. Being in position on the fairway so often is not something very normal for me, and it’s allowing me to make the most of the strongest part of my game: the irons. There are rounds where I gain almost a stroke on average from the tee, and with my distance, I assure you that’s not very common. For that, you have to hit a lot of fairways.
The reality is that only the putt has prevented me from being higher up in the last tournaments. I’m currently a bit off on the greens. In fact, I’m considering making some changes in that direction, but I haven’t decided yet. In Singapore and India, it went especially badly for me in this regard. In fact, in the first one, I finished 20th without sinking a single putt. I promise you. I don’t know if I lost four or five strokes compared to the average on the greens all week. In Kenya, I also played very well from tee to green, but I putted terribly.
The other day, I was talking to David (Morago, my caddie), and I told him that I’ve broken an absolute record as a professional. I’ve been travelling all of 2025 with only 14 clubs. That had never happened to me before. So much so that other Spaniards and friends on the Tour always teased me: “Let’s see, Nacho, how many drivers have you brought this week, how many putters, or what are you going to try, four or five different shafts…”. Always the same. This year, nothing. The same every week.
It’s the first time since I’ve been on the Tour that I’m not looking for anything. I’m very happy with the equipment I have. And mind you, it’s all the same as what I ended up playing with last year. Now I’m a free agent for clubs, I don’t have a contract with any brand, so I can play whatever I want. I tried with Cobra at the beginning of the year because I have a sort of platonic love for the brand since I was little. But I’ve finally decided to continue playing with Callaway, the same as last year, and the Titleist ball. Occasionally, you’ll see me with the Cobra cap because I like it. I’m doing very well. Right now, I’m only trying out a driver from time to time, mainly to have a spare in case the one I’m using breaks. Things are looking good.
I’ll also tell you that since the week of Kenya, I’ve been involved in a physical preparation programme of the DP World Tour, with the circuit’s team of professionals. I’m very happy. It’s one of the advantages of being a member. They did all sorts of tests to evaluate my exact condition and main needs and set me up with a specific training plan that I’m following to the letter. I train every other day, more or less for an hour. I’m happy because I’m maintaining continuity. It’s gradual. It’s focused on mobility and muscle building, but above all, from the perspective of staying physically well, preventing injuries, and being able to endure the next ten to fifteen years with dignity. I’m not looking to hit harder or longer. Before, I used to do intense preparation in the pre-season and then let it slide… Now it’s more continuous work.
The main goal of this physical preparation, besides, as I said, extending my career in the best possible way (although, mind you, I feel super young, as if I were 15 years old now), is to arrive better at the end of the season. I feel that last year I missed the chance to have a great season because I reached the end of the year exhausted, at the Back 9, where there are more points. The idea this year is to better regulate the schedule and arrive fresher with the physical preparation I’m doing. Also, you know that in that final part is the Open de España, and it’s a tournament I have a special affection for.
