DP World Tour winner Adri Arnaus: “The Ryder Cup is my goal.”

Adri Arnaus celebrates winning his first DP World Tour title at the Catalunya Championship.

Everything you need to know about big-hitting DP World Tour winner Adria Arnaus.

Arnaus won his first title with a victory over Oliver Bekker after a mammoth six-hole play-off at the Catalunya Championship at PGA Catalunya. It was a case of third time lucky for the Spaniard, who had lost his two previous play-offs, beaten on both occasions by fellow countrymen (Rafa Cabrera-Bello and Pablo Larrazabal).

With the monkey off his back, the 27-year-old now has his sights set firmly on breaking into the World’s Top 50, emulating friend and countryman Jon Rahm, and being part of Henrik Stenson’s Ryder Cup team for the 2023 match in Rome.

We sat down with Arnaus at the British Masters to get the full story.

Adri, congratulations on your victory. What was the key to getting that first win?

I was patient. I didn’t start the event so well but I came from the middle of the pack with a really good final round and that allowed me to feel a little bit fresher going into that play-off. I was able to come out and just focus on the present.

Feeling fresh proved key as the play-off lasted six holes!

It was crazy. When it finished, I didn’t even know how many holes we had played! But it was a good way to achieve the win, especially having lost play-offs before.

How special was it to win on home soil?

To do it in front of my friends and my family was such a special feeling and I will always cherish that. It was an incredible feeling. The fans were incredible for the whole week, so I was so pleased to do it for them.

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What difference has it made having the crowds fully back this season?

It’s fantastic. Last year we were playing amazing courses, they looked incredible, but it is always better when the fans are out there, that’s for sure. It’s one of the best things about playing the game.

What do you learn now you’ve got that first win?

It’s great to show yourself that you can do it on bigger stages. I’ve won before but not at this level so it will give me extra confidence going forwards knowing that I can get it done when I have chances to win. I’ll just keep being aggressive with my play, especially on Sundays, because even if you are behind you might have a chance.

You’ve made a superb start to the season – a win, a second, a third, two other top 10s and just three missed cuts. What do you put that down to?

Every week is different and every week I learn from it, whether I’m there fighting for the tournament or it’s a week where I just don’t feel I can get into it.

It’s been a very good season so far, we’ve put ourselves in good positions and some weeks we just haven’t had it – maybe a bit tired – but it’s about taking things from that and applying it in the next events. I think I proved that with the win.

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It was fitting that your first victory came on the same day as your good friend, Jon Rahm, won on the PGA Tour.

It was. Jon and I grew up together, so of course, it is nice. I received a message from him, even before I’d congratulated him on his win (laughs), so it was super nice of him to acknowledge that.

Does his success drive you on?

Of course, and I admire what he’s been able to achieve so far. I always ask him many questions and when we get the chance we play practice rounds together so hopefully in the near future I can be where he is. That’s something that would be very cool.

And you share the same mental coach.

We do. I’ve worked with sport psychologists since I was 12, and I believe they are essential to becoming strong players and growing up mentally healthy. I think it’s vital to stay present and only thinking about what I can do right now. Also, resting and meditation have been great tools for me during tournament weeks.

Who else inspires you?

Tiger and Seve were my idols as a child and growing up, and I’ve always looked up to Rafa Nadal. They were all so passionate and gave everything to be the best.

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You’re on the cusp of the world’s top 50 which would open up a whole new world of opportunities. How important is that for you?

It’s a goal of mine to have that top 50. We’re right there and I don’t see it as a pressure, more of an opportunity. We’ve been dreaming about it for quite a while and it’ll be great when that happens, to play in some different events and get into the Majors. But one step at a time and if I keep doing good stuff every week then it’ll happen.

What does it mean for you to be playing in some Majors again?

The US PGA Championship will just my third Major (Arnaus played the US Open and Open in 2019) and I want to play in many more and hopefully, one day, win one of those. Playing in the 150^th Open at St Andrews was a goal of mine at the start of the season so it’s great to be in a position for that as it will be very special.

And looking further ahead, what would it mean to you to emulate the likes of Seve, Olazabal, Garcia and Rahm by playing in the Ryder Cup?

I aim high. Very high. It’s something that I enjoy doing, and I always dream as big as I can. The Marco Simone course in Rome is one where I did something special last year, making eight birdies in a row, which tells me it could suit me, so I want to give myself every chance to be there and getting our Ryder Cup back.

Take us back to the beginning. Why did you take up golf?

Golf is part of my family. My parents started a 9-hole course in our hometown in 1992, called Golf Moià. I played there a lot growing up, as we lived in a house on the 5th hole.

My father was also a golf course manager in Can Cuyàs, so it was always easy to get a golf club in my hands.

What was Adri Arnaus’ childhood like?

I was a big family guy growing up and I really enjoyed going to my hometown and having large reunions with all my relatives. Since I was a kid, I travelled a lot with my parents to golf tournaments. I also played with the Spanish team in multiple European events, where I got to know and play against other competitive golfers like Jon.

What was your biggest achievement as an amateur golfer?

Winning the European Amateur Tournament in 2017 with the Spanish team. I think sharing victories with a group of people makes them much more special. That’s why a big goal of mine is playing in the Ryder Cup.

You moved to Texas to go to college when you were just 17. How big a decision was that?

It impacted my life in a very positive way, helping me evolve both as a person and as a golf player. I met good people and I was teammates and close friends with Cameron Champ and Johannes Veerman, who also went on to play on tour.

When did you turn pro, Adri?

At the end of 2017, after topping the Alps Tour Ranking as an amateur. I won two events that year and played solid all the season. That got me on to the Challenge Tour for the following year and the experience and confidence to turn pro.

And you got your first win as a pro in 2018?

Yes. I was close to winning multiple times on the Challenge Tour, so to get my first victory at the last event of the year and qualify to play in the European Tour was very special and satisfying. I also had a bet with my dad to get a dog after my first victory, which is why I named our labrador Khaimah.

You get to play some amazing golf courses on tour. Which has been your favourite?

Pebble Beach. I played the 2019 US Open there on my Major debut (finishing T58). I remember playing that course on the PlayStation when I was a kid. The place and views were breathtaking and to be able to play there was a dream come true for me.

What keeps Adri Arnaus motivated?

Becoming better. I have a feeling I can still improve a lot more, and trying to reach this potential I see in myself is really what wakes me up every morning. I also really like what I do, which makes me feel very lucky every time I can go to practice or get to travel and play tournaments against the best players in the world.

You now live in Dubai. What’s it like?

My girlfriend and I moved there in 2020 and we are really happy. The weather is great to practice and golf courses are really well taken care of.

Apart from golf, we always find fun things to do and we love to be surrounded of people from all nationalities. The city is also super well connected, both for flying to tournaments and for travelling to anywhere in the world.

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How do you relax?

I love animals, music and nature. I try to take my DJ table to tournaments to disconnect while I’m not playing. I also enjoy playing other racket sports such as padel or ping pong, and watching movies or playing chess when I want to stay physically rested.

What advice would you give to amateur golfers?

The best advice I can give them is to prioritise enjoying the journey and the process of getting better every day, because without that, I don’t think anything makes any sense.

Lastly, learn as much as possible from everyone around you, ask lots of questions, and be good listeners.

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Everything you need to know about Adri Arnaus

– He was born in Moia, Barcelona, on October 17 1994,

– Arnaus attended Texas A&M University from 2012-2016, studying and playing alongside Cameron Champ and Johannes Veerman.

– He lives in Dubai with his girlfriend, Cristina Casanella, and their dog, Khaimah, whose name is a tribute to his first pro victory – the Ras Al Khaimah Challenge Tour Grand Final in 2018.

– He won the Spanish Amateur Championship and was a member of the Spanish team that won the European Amateur Team Championship.

– Arnaus played on The Alps Tour as an amateur in 2017, winning two events to lead the Order of Merit and qualify for the 2018 Challenge Tour season.

– He turned pro off +4 in late 2017 ahead of his Challenge Tour debut.

– Arnaus finished second on the Challenge Tour’s Order of Merit and gained his European Tour card for 2019.

– He made his Major debut in the 2019 US Open at Pebble Beach, finishing T58, and says it’s the best course he’s ever played.

– Arnaus is a Callaway and Odyssey staff player, wears Lacoste apparel and Nike Golf shoes.

– Away from the course Arnaus loves electronic music, and takes his DJ table to events. He’s also enjoys cinema, racket sports and playing chess.

– From 84 DP World Tour starts he’s earned $2.6m!

– Arnaus is a big-hitter, sitting 5^th on the DP World Tour’s driving distance stats with an average of 333.28 yards.

– He’s also accurate, hitting 72% of greens in regulation (6^th on Tour), and ranks 7^th for scoring average (69.74).

– Having started the year as World No.141, Arnaus has risen to No.52

– He represented Spain in the Olympic Golf at Tokyo 2020, finishing T31 on six-under par.

– Before his Catalunya win, Arnaus had lost his previous two DP World Tour play-offs (both to fellow Spaniards – Rafa Cabrera Bello and Pablo Larrazabal) and finished runner-up on five occasions, twice in his homeland.

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