“It is the first time in my life that I find myself in this situation, it is painful, but it is what it is, I have to accept it.” These were the words of Carlos Pigem five months ago to Ten Golf after losing his Asian Tour rights and for the first time in his career being left without status in any of the major golf circuits worldwide.
This Thursday, after barely playing for five months, he delivered a card of 67 strokes to get into the top ten at the start of the Challenge de España. “Happy? You bet I am, with how little I’ve played these months, I’m almost surprised. I’ve gone seven under in twelve holes,” he said excitedly just after picking up the phone to Ten Golf.
On that 31st of December, the Catalan acknowledged that it was time to step aside, look forward, and focus on family businesses: “It was a decision I would have preferred not to have to make, but it is what it is. Besides, I’ve got married and it was time to ensure some stability as well.”
Since then, he has opened a restaurant, got married on the 12th of April, and enjoyed a spectacular honeymoon in Tanzania, Saudi Arabia, and the Maldives. Just eight days ago, he was still enjoying a paradise beach. “I told Cristina why don’t we extend it a bit more since there’s only one honeymoon.” This Thursday, he doesn’t regret coming back in time.
As for golf, in these six months, he has only played four competitive rounds, and beyond those two tournaments, he hasn’t touched a golf club. It’s not an exaggeration. He hasn’t touched the clubs beyond those two weeks.
However, despite confessing in December that he was leaving the golf clubs for a few weeks, he still held onto the hope that in one of the few tournaments he played, he could make a big impact. The start has been promising, to say the least.
One of those opportunities the Catalan longed for was undoubtedly this Challenge de España. The Catalan player qualified through national ranking and wanted to seize the opportunity with both hands. A round of five under par puts him in the top ten of the tournament after the first 18 holes. Not bad for someone who has been out of major competition for half a year.
The start of the day didn’t predict a great round, far from it. Quite the opposite. The lack of competitive rhythm took its toll, and a bogey and a double bogey in the first six holes forecasted a tough day at the office. “At that moment, I reset, I had no reason to be nervous, I haven’t trained for six months, it’s normal to hit badly and make mistakes. I freed myself.”
At that moment, on the seventh tee, the Spaniard changed strategy: “I decided I was going to try to beat the course in sections, and that’s how it was. I went hole by hole, and it worked perfectly.” Seven birdies in ten holes. An absolute feat.
There is an underlying calm that Pigem acknowledges has also given him serenity: “I have the peace of mind of a job, that I’ve got married, and I no longer have the anxiety I used to, it’s not a fall without a safety net.” All of this has allowed him to turn the day around.
Carlos knows it’s too early to celebrate, but he feels that the inner spark is reigniting: “I don’t know if it’s a mix of everything before, but I have to admit that this week I’ve regained some enthusiasm for the sport. In three weeks, I play in Sancti Petri, and now I do plan to train. A bit. Maybe it will go much worse, but I’ve regained a certain thrill.”
By the way, he had words of admiration for the course: “I’m Catalan, but I have to admit I didn’t know the course. I played it once in a tournament when I was eight, but I hadn’t been back since. It pleasantly surprised me, I think it’s one of the top five in Catalonia. Pleasantly surprised.”
However, Carlos is aware that on Friday, he might pay dearly for the lack of competition: “Tomorrow I might shoot 85 with ease, I’ll try to play hole by hole again and see what happens.” Whatever happens in the second 18 holes, Carlos won’t regret it.
On Monday, he had a great celebration with Álvaro Quirós: “We enjoyed a great Pago de Carrovejas.” This Thursday, he had another one at Fontanals.
