David Puig is ready to make his debut at the Olympic Games. The 22-year-old golfer from La Garriga will represent Spain alongside Jon Rahm in the golf event at the Paris meeting, which is held at Le Golf National between August 1 and 4. An impressive track record in recent months and the last-minute qualification for the US Open and his comeback on the Friday of the Pinehurts tournament allowed the Catalan to make the cut and, in passing, secure his place in this special event, avoiding being overtaken by Jorge Campillo. Now, in an interview given to the Royal Spanish Golf Federation, he is warming up to try to fight for the medals.
Did it cross your mind just a year ago that you were going to compete in the Paris Olympics?
You always consider these questions, but it’s true that you don’t know if these big goals, like representing Spain at the Games, are going to come so soon. I’m very happy, all the work behind it has been worth it, very proud of the result and eager to be in Paris.
Your trajectory in this sense has been spectacular, gaining points in the World Ranking at an incredible speed to overtake Jorge Campillo. When did you really feel that you were going to be in Paris?
The truth is that we had to wait until the end, during the celebration of the US Open, when I made the cut after the second day. It wasn’t the challenge of the week, but in the end it did become the goal. I was lucky to play on the second day, also on the third, and it was there when I felt the relief of achieving the goal. These last two years have been very good.
You have shown an incredible ability to overcome, what other things define you as a player?
I am very hardworking, from a young age, I have always had the drive to get up early and train as much as possible. It’s important to have a great attitude and good routines, to do what I love so much every day.
“I was fourth in the Amateur World Championship at Le Golf National and Jon beat Tiger in the Ryder, this course can benefit us”
You’re going to play on a course, the Golf National, that you know, you competed there in an Amateur World Championship not long ago. What do you think of the course?
I remember it’s a course with a lot of water, where you have to be quite precise in most of the shots. It’s a great course, of which I have good memories because I came fourth in that World Championship. Jon also knows it well, in the Ryder he was able to beat Tiger, so it can benefit us because we both hit it quite hard and there are quite long holes. Let’s see if we can have a great week.
What does it mean for you to share the Olympic experience with a real character like Jon Rahm?
It’s a great honour. I’m lucky to be a good friend of his, we see each other often when we’re in Arizona and then at the LIV Golf events throughout the season. I like that we can represent Spain together, eager to learn from him, to see how he prepares the tournament and absorb all the advice he can offer.
What can you both bring to each other during the Olympic tournament?
I think the atmosphere is going to be very good, we’re going to have a lot of fun. We have a very relaxed relationship, we have a good time together, there are jokes, good rivalries. Already during the practice rounds there will be tension between us, which will get us into the tournament soon. We are both very competitive, we love to win. Between the two of us I think we can do a very good job.
KEY DATES OF OLYMPIC GOLF
29th July: announcement of matches and tee times in the men’s golf competition
30th July: 09:30 hours – Press conference Jon Rahm and David Puig at Le Golf National Press Centre
1-4 August: men’s golf competition
5th August: announcement of matches and tee times for the women’s golf competition
7-10 August: Women’s golf competition
