Jens Fahrbring returns to Italy for this week’s EMC Challenge Open just two weeks after coming agonisingly close to a maiden European Tour win at the 72° OPEN D’ITALIA presented by DAMIANI.
The Swede was co-leader heading into the final round and only a bogey on the 18thhole deprived him of a place in the play-off, subsequently won by his compatriot Rikard Karlberg.
That left Fahrbring in a tie for third, the best European Tour result of his career and he hopes the belief gained from coming so close will serve him well in future tournaments, starting this week at Rome’s Olgiata GC.
I had a few sleepless nights, but it was still a good experience - the nerves just got to me
“Two weeks ago was a good experience,” he said. “I had a few sleepless nights after it just thinking about that final shot in to the 18thhole on the Sunday, but it was still a good experience, the nerves just got to me on the last.
“It was ultimately a positive week for me, to show that I can contend on The European Tour. I actually felt that it wasn’t that different from being in contention in Challenge Tour events. Obviously there are more crowds and cameras, and a bit more pressure, but it’s still the same thing and you have to go through your same processes. The mental game is always the same, so that was a good experience to learn.
“Every time you are in contention you gain some more experience and it’s been a good few months for me.”
Those ‘good few months’ have seen the 31 year old climb to fourth spot in theRoad to Oman Rankings,aided by victory at the D+D REAL Czech Challenge (see highlights above) and a tie for third at the Kazakhstan Open, and have all-but assured him of a place on The European Tour next season.
Having proven to himself that he can compete with the best of The European Tour, Fahrbring is keen to push on in the final four events of the season and try to overhaul Sebastien Gros and Ricardo Gouveia at the top of the Rankings, ideally with another victory.
“It would be nice to get another win, having been so close,” he said. “That has to be the goal for the rest of the season, to chase the guys up at the top of the Rankings. I really don’t think they’re actually catchable, especially as they’re both playing so great right now, but if I keep finishing high, or winning, who knows?
Sometimes when I hit a few bad shots on the range it feels nice to me - I can relax a bit more
“The way I won in the Czech Republic, I didn’t feel like I played that great that week. My short game and putting were sharp but I didn’t feel like my long game was anywhere near its best, so I take a lot away from that, knowing that I can still win without everything being perfect.
“It was the same in Italy last week. I wasn’t too happy with my swing, but I’ve learned that you don’t need to have every part of your game feeling perfect to be able to compete – sometimes when I hit a few bad shots on the driving range it almost feels nice to me because I can relax a bit more and just start to play the game.
“I like it here in Italy. They have nice food, nice courses – especially this week, which I would say is probably the best course we play all year. It’s a good test and you have to be really sharp from the tees to play into the greens, your ball striking has to be spot on this week, so it’s going to be fun.”
With just three events for players to make it into the top 45 in the Rankings and earn a place at the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final in Oman, a very strong field has assembled in Rome.
As well as Fahrbring, Gouveia and Gros, nine other winners on the Challenge Tour this season are also teeing up this week, alongside 14 Italians – including former Road to Oman Rankings winner Andrea Pavan.
