It’s no coincidence that Ángel Ayora was one of those chosen to launch the Open de España last Tuesday alongside Marco Penge and Patrick Reed. Nor does it seem a coincidence that, barely two days later, he has shown exactly what he is capable of at Real Club de Campo. The Spaniard produced a spectacular opening round of four under par, including two eagles, and headed for the clubhouse as one of the players who look likely to make a significant impact in Madrid this week.
Besides his score, though, there is some very good news for Ayora; his driver is back.
“Above all, I’m pleased because I’m hitting it off the tee a little more like I used to,” he admitted after his round. The Spaniard had been struggling with the big stick in recent weeks, but in Madrid he has rediscovered what he regards one of his biggest weapons. On this course, where finding the fairway can make the difference between attacking and merely surviving, having the driver under control can be worth its weight in gold.
“I know if I’m good off the tee, the round will be good,” he explained. A sentence that perfectly sums up his opening day.
Real Club de Campo is playing very, very difficult. The rough is long and wet, the trees are constantly in play and the soft greens are beginning to show the effects of foot traffic as the day wears on. Ayora is in no doubt: “As soon as you miss the fairway, you’re going to struggle.” He is speaking from experience. Finding so many fairways allowed him to attack the par fives in particular and make the most of one of his great strengths: power.
The result was two eagles. The one at the 14th was especially impressive, where he had to make a decision from a lie that did not encourage an attacking shot. The ball was sitting down in the rough and he considered hitting a seven-iron, but chose the eight to dig the ball out more cleanly. He found a spot just short of the green and completed the job with a superb chip-in.
“I’m pleased with the eagles, I’d be lying if I said otherwise, but above all with how I hit it off the tee,” he explained.
Ayora was playing alongside Tyrrell Hatton and Ludvig Åberg, two of the biggest names in the field. Far from intimidating him, the experience spurred him on. “They have an aura. You see them standing over the ball and they know what they’ve done and what they’re doing. It inspires you. You have to step it up.”
With an opening day of four under par, Madrid has once again proved to be a special setting for the Spaniard. Asked where he sees himself on Sunday, he replied wryly: “I see myself in Madrid, that’s for sure, but hopefully I’ll be near the top of the leaderboard.”
The course is giving nothing away, but Ayora does not appear willing to let this opportunity pass him by. If his driver continues to behave, the Spaniard knows he could be in contention. After two eagles in his opening round, he has well and truly staked his claim.
