Iván Cantero has completed the best week of his professional sports career in South Africa. On Thursday he handed in the lowest card of his life, he was at the top of the tournament all the time and fought for victory until the last five holes. The Asturian is happy and convinced that the Jonsson Workwear Open will mark a before and after in his evolution. In a conversation with Ten Golf, shortly after signing the sixth place at the Glendower Golf Club, Cantero conveys that something has changed.
The balance of the tour through Africa, including the first tournament in Kenya and the two in South Africa, could not be brighter. “I bring many good things, especially at the level of confidence. These three weeks have made me feel like in the Challenge Tour last year”, he assures. In a way, Iván feels like he has taken a weight off his shoulders. He has taken a big step forward. “Fighting for victory in a European Tour tournament with five holes to go gives me a lot of peace and confidence in myself. It should be noted that the last time I was in such a situation was at the PGA de Catalunya two years ago and I ended up doing +7 on the last day. This tournament only has positive things. I have regained the level of the Challenge”, he concludes.
The golfer from Llanes, who currently has Alberto, a friend from his Asturian village, in his bag, has received a necessary boost of self-esteem. “I needed to believe in myself a little more and what has happened helps me to be convinced that this is really where I have to be, this is my place”, he points out.
This turning point does not come out of nowhere and is by no means a coincidence. There is a lot of work behind it. In this sense, Cantero points to Miguel Ángel Duque, his swing coach, and Alejandro Larrazábal, who has helped him a lot with the putter. “The improvement with the drive and the putt these three weeks has been abysmal. The top 6 in the Jonsson is thanks to this. The work with Larry and Miguel is very good and it is showing”, he says. Similarly, there has been a leap in the mental area. After all, everything goes hand in hand. “Psychologically it has been a step forward because it is not the same to be in the Challenge Tour as in the DP World Tour, with more demanding courses, more difficult flags… This is a great turning point that will help me believe that I can really win a tournament soon”, he emphasizes.
Be that as it may, Cantero does not settle or trust. He is demanding and ambitious and that is why he also brings some homework from this tour. Above all, one very specific one. “I would say the range that goes from 120 to 60 meters. If I had been fine in that area at the Glendower I have no doubt that I would have won the tournament. In any case, I am very happy with everything that has happened these three weeks”, he points out.
