X Catalan Open champion - we hear from Daniel Gimenez

Daniel Gimenez (Catalonia) won the 2016 Catalan Open at Roc 3.  How does it feel to win an international open on home soil?  "I love to win, whether it's close or not so close. Because in fact, I always play to win."

Dani was second in 2008 and third in 2010.  He mused on the critical factors that ensured he took the ultimate honours this time.  "I try to play the Catalan Open every year because it is a very interesting format. This year I played very well and above all I concentrated on playing my own game and not looking too closely at what other fellows were doing! I was lucky to make a spectacular score on the first day and that helped me lead from the outset. This is sometimes not positive as it can generate more pressure but that was not the case this time"

A driven person, Gimenez has a simple yet effective psychological formula for success.  "I am a very competitive player and the competition and the pressure really make me stronger. At important moments I try to play just like as if I was playing casually with friends."  What went well at Roc 3 on April 2/3?  "To win, both your pitching and putting must be very good, but personally, I think putting was always one of my strengths."

After that splendid opener matters did cool off a little on Saturday afternoon.  "In the second round, despite playing very well, I could not score as well as round one. I had two holes that didn't go to plan! On the 15th I had a putt of no more than 50 cm to get to -6 and I failed. On the next hole, I made a bogey so that put the final score at -4."

Dani's advantage heading into the final round was three strokes.  "The last day was very complicated.  I did not have a stellar game and winning is never easy.  My fellow competitors (Kwant, Darcy and Riera who all finished over par for their rounds) were not too successful.  They and were I afraid that my game would be impacted. But I learned to concentrate on my game and finally win the Open, two shots ahead with -3."

Overall, Roc 3 course gets the seal of approval from the new champion.  "The course, though the greens were not 100%, did a great job and the organization was excellent. Personally, I like it a course although I only play it in official competitions."

Economic and other realities dictate that the Roc 3 event will be Gimenez's sole international open foray in 2016.  "This year, I do not think I will play any other Opens due to lack of time and money, because we must not forget that we are amateurs and unfortunately we cannot  play our sport as much as we would want."

Dani won the European Team championship with Catalonia in 2010 and 2014.  We wondered about his prospects of being a member of the Catalan team for the 2016 World Cup in Andorra and his other Pitch and Putt ambitions for the future?  "Right now, my main goal is to enter the trials to supply Catalonia with three players who will play in the World Cup in Andorra. It will be very difficult as Catalonia, together with Ireland, has the world's best players in our sport."

Dani assesses where this one will rank in the Gimenez list of successes. "I will appreciate this victory because it is very difficult to compete with the best and especially Antonio Penalva (runner-up) and Shane Murphy (third) because they never stopped believing and fighting to win."

The latest Catalan Open winner pays this tribute to his closest pursuers.  "I have a personal friendship with Antonio, and I think that he is a great player and a better person. I was lucky to compete with Shane Murphy in the second round and I saw that he is a player of a high level and with a bright future in and out of Ireland."