Andrew Johnston focused on Europe and ready for Spanish defence
Tuesday 10 April 2018 11:40, UK
As Andrew Johnston prepares to defend his Spanish Open title, Richard Kaufman gets some insight with the fan favourite on his form, his PGA Tour experience, and his near-miss in India.
On Thursday, Andrew Johnston will tee it up as a defending champion on the European Tour for the first time, although he's had to wait a little longer than usual for the opportunity since claiming the 2016 Spanish Open, with the tournament absent from the schedule last year.
Johnston comes into this week refreshed after turning down the chance to play in a couple of events on the PGA Tour. After a disappointing 2017, trying to split his time between two tours, Johnston says he has learned his lessons.
"Playing America, coming back, the travelling was too difficult," he said. "You either have to play one side or the other. I said this year I am going to concentrate on Europe.
"I nearly played a couple in America in the time I have just had off. But I thought you know what, I am just going to practice, go to the gym, relax. Because I've got Madrid, then Morocco, and Wentworth and it's going to get really busy."
Since telling Sky Sports' John Morgan he was going to "get hammered" after his victory at Valderrama, life changed big time for the golfer, known to his friends and fans as Beef. Fame and notoriety followed, especially after finishing top 10 at The Open at Royal Troon and then claiming his PGA Tour card.
Everyone wanted a slice of Beef and with the extra demands on his time, his game suffered. He admits he didn't practice hard enough and spent too much time enjoying himself away from the course. Johnston would love to go back and play more regularly in America but if and when he does, he is determined to do that as a top 50 in the world player.
"I need to have that schedule. I need to pick and choose. It comes with my personality," said Johnston. "I can't play every week. I need time off to refresh my brain. They are tiring weeks, mentally."
Beef arrives in Spain with a spring back in his step. "I played lovely in Abu Dhabi, but didn't have the best Sunday. I played lovely in Oman, and I was asking myself, why am I not playing as well as I know I can on a Sunday? I kept telling myself, keep going, keep putting yourself up there. It was just a sense of building up your confidence every week."
He got that Sunday best back in India, where he played so well in the final round on Sunday that the Englishman felt he could have shot a round of 10 or 11 under par. As it was, his 66 - the best score in the final round - was only good enough to get him into a play-off that he ultimately lost to Matt Wallace.
At the 72nd hole and in the play-off, Beef decided to lay up rather than go for the par-five 18th in two.
"No regrets at all. I didn't like the second shot in there," he added. "My decision at the start of the week before I even teed off was to hit four wedges into there. I expect with a wedge shot into that hole to make three to four birdies. I stuck to the game plan. If I had been a touch closer, I would have gone for it. But I didn't like it. In practise, I hit two in the water.
"The only thing was, I didn't hit a very good wedge shot both times. I should have had a shorter putt for birdie in real time. But I think it's the golf gods saving me for another tournament. Not sure when that will be. It wasn't to be, but I wouldn't change it."
It would be wrong to say the smile is back on Andrew Johnston's face, as it never really went away. But a little older and certainly wiser, Beef looks back in business and he may be ready to put his name on the famous Spanish Open trophy for a second time.
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