Emilio Cuartero Blanco could have arrived at Aura GC in Turku for this week’s GANT Open a broken man after coming cruelly close to sealing his first European Challenge Tour victory at the Northern Ireland Open in Association with Sphere Global and Ulster Bank last week.
The Spaniard led for the first 54 holes and remained in the hunt on the back nine on Sunday, before a double bogey on 17 derailed his challenge – although an eagle at the last hole saw him finish in a tie for eighth place.
However, instead of feeling sorry for himself, Cuartero Blanco is feeling positive about the experience gained at Galgorm Castle and hopeful he will not struggle with the pressure should he find himself in contention again this week.
“Every day I never lose, I either win or I learn,” said the 24 year old. “That’s my philosophy, and last week I learned a lot, but it was hard to be hunted for the entire weekend.
“My goal was always to increase my lead but I kept making a few mistakes, putting myself in the wrong places, a couple of three putts. When you start slowly you have to play catch up and it’s just too hard to keep doing that.
“Sunday was a good experience for me. I started playing badly with three bogeys in the first six holes, and I just couldn’t come back.
“When you’re in the lead you just need to start well, just a few easy pars, get the round going, but I was making mistakes and after that I was struggling, playing catch up the whole time.
“I played some good golf, made some birdies, and on the back nine I thought the magic number was going to be 17 under par, so put pressure on myself to find three more birdies.
“I tried to play smart but I couldn’t find the shots I needed, then on 17 I had what I call a ‘hakuna matata’ shot where I missed it way right, so far right! And I made double bogey which ended my chance really.
“I ended with an eagle, which was a nice ending to a great week, and a top ten finish so I can’t complain. It was hard not to finish the job after leading for three days, but it was the first time I was in that position in a professional event, so I have so many good memories from it.”
Cuartero Blanco played college golf while studying in America and his time at Missouri University coincided with that of Clément Sordet, the Frenchman who sealed his maiden victory in Northern Ireland (see video highlights below).
“I saw Clément today and said to him, ‘I hate you dude!’” said the Spaniard. “We know each other from back in college so every time we see each other we say hi.
“We played against each other in junior and amateur games, Spain against France, so we were sort of enemies, but now when you’re on the other side of the pond we’re in the minority so we’re friends.
“I’m really happy for him, he played really well and particularly on Sunday. He’s a solid player and always seemed to be good, and France right now is doing great in the young players that are coming through.”
This is Cuartero Blanco’s first season as a professional and his finish last week is his best result, beating his tie for ninth place in The Barclays Kenya Open.
He has, however, played in Finland before, and says he has some good memories to draw on as he seeks to continue his fine form this week.
“I was here in Finland about a year ago with Spain in the European Amateur Championship, which we won, so I have great memories of playing in Finland – I played here five or six years ago as well,” he said.
“I love it here, the trees, the weather, the forests, it’s beautiful, and hopefully I have more good experiences here this week.
“I really like the course, it looks in great shape. The problem is going to be the rough, it’s really thick and can stop you from having a shot at the green.
“The greens are good but very sloped, almost like hills some of them, so it’s going to be hard – there are a couple where you definitely have to be in the fairway or you have no chance.
“It’s not the longest course so I’m going to have to play tactical a bit and speak to my coach about strategy.
“I’m good with my driver but sometimes here that will mean missing the fairway, even a little bit, and not being able to get on the green, so maybe a bit further back and a longer shot in, with some spin, is the better approach. It’s going to be a good challenge.”
