Mike Lorenzo-Vera would like to be able to replay two shots!

Invited for almost an hour to the Sam Harrop podcast, well known to golf fans for his original piano compositions, Mike Lorenzo-Vera, in the wake of his announcement a few days ago to stop his career this summer in Crans-Montana, addressed other sometimes personal, sometimes more general subjects. Chosen pieces.

It’s a Mike Lorenzo-Vera Relaxed and clearly released from a weight that was delivered – in the language of Shakespeare – for more than 50 minutes this Wednesday, April 30 during the podcast ” Sliced with Ben & Sam ».

The Basque, as he had given us the present a few days ago in an exclusive interview, once again returned to his decision to put an end to his professional career after the next Omega European Masters (August 28-31) at Crans-Montana (Suisse).

He also lingered at length on certain “key” moments of his career.

In particular two shots that he would like to be able to replay believing that they could have changed his life as a professional golfer at all.

« There are two strokes that I would like to replayhe blown. The second on the 18th in Qatar in 2019 (one by 5). It was an iron stroke 3 with water in front. The flag was a background of Green, tight to the left. And with the gallery behind. I thought I had to do three to win the tournament, or even to have a chance to go to the play-off. In fact, five would have been enough. I should have hit a hybrid in the gallery followed by a chip – easy putt. »

« There is also my second blow at 14 (par 5) in Crans Montana when Matt Fitzpatrick wins (in 2018). We are in mind and we send (our question) Both in the trees on the left because there is an out of the limit on the right. There, Matt hits a wood 5 above the water. Me, I struck a stinger (low ball) under the branches. I saw her die on the flag, straight on it. But we had the sun from the front, and I don’t hear anyone applaud. I then see a referee running behind the green in the trees. I check the yardage, it seems to be good. The ball finally passed the hole (double bogey), And I missed the play-off at a point. After that, a television person came to see me and said to me: “Look at what happened. »» The ball actually turned on a stone and it has shot. It was not the time. Three years before, I lose my father in Crans Montana. So it was the tournament I wanted to win. »

I’m going to have trouble saying Keith Pelley and Guy Kinnings (the former and the new DPWT managing director) because I know there are a lot of people who think they have done a shitty job

Mike Lorenzo-Vera

After his victory in Italy on the Challenge Tour, Mike Lorenzo-Vera played 284 tournaments from the DP world Tour. He finished 24 times in a top 10, 5 times in a top 5. But without having known, we repeat, the indescribable joys of victory.

During this period, he was able to attend the evolution taken by the European round but also his very clear vassality in PGA Tour From the early 2020s, at the very moment when the COVVI-19 clearly changed the situation.

« I’m going to have a hard time saying Keith Pelley and Guy Kinnings (the former and the new DPWT managing director) Because I know there are a lot of people who think they have done a job of “shit”underlines the French. I had the chance to see the evolution of the circuit since the arrival of Keith, it was in 2015 I think. The Rolex Series were introduced, and we have never played money. »

« It was a good timing for me because it was during this period that I played very well, he continues. It is therefore rather difficult to complain. I also think they did a fantastic job with the communication team. All the content they created was so much more attractive than that of the PGA Tour. When the covid arrived, they did what they could. They still managed to keep a few tournaments, to pay some so that we can continue to play. They could have said that we had no more money, and close, like so many companies in the world at that time. »

« They continued to push, they put themselves in a difficult financial situationhe adds. But you cannot compete financially with the PGA Tour. I think they are all doing a good job. I really believe that if one day we have a good financial power, it will become the main tour, a world tour. I really believe it because we have connections all over the world. We know how to organize ourselves in Kenya, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea … everywhere! We can organize tournaments everywhere. And no one else can do that. »

Pay tribute to French golfers, past and present

Asked about the health of the French golf course at the highest level, Mike Lorenzo-Vera of course mentioned the victory of Matthieu Pavon last year on the PGA Tour, on the side of San Diego (California) at Farmers Insurance Openbut he also wanted to pay tribute to the “ancients”, those who have just paved the way for the current generation.

« I think we forget everything that others have donehe warns. I think of Thomas (Lived), Greg Havret, Jeff Rémetéy, the two Gregs in fact, Havret and Bourdy, Raphaël Jacquelin, Jean Van de Velde, Victor Dubuisson, Alex Levy. I forget some, and I apologize, but we already had a good group of guys who had real victories, who fought in major tournaments. Even if it was rarer. But we have a lot of victories on the circuit. Without forgetting Matthieu (Pavon) SO, On the PGA Tour … »

« So yes, I think the old people did the job to make young people believe that they can win. Matt (Pavon) opened a very important door last year. The French can now win on the PGA Tour. I hope it will continue, with Victor Perez for example. That guys will also confirm in adults … »

« As such, I think the federation (Golf French) has done a very good job in the past 6-7 years by building a very good team around coaches and investing money among young people. But there is still a lot to do. We took a much better direction than before. It works really well. And I don’t say that because my brother (Franck) Works there … (laughs) “

Never has a French golfer hit the ball like Rory. Never. Never has a Frenchman had the package that a Justin Rose has

Mike Lorenzo-Vera

Apostle of beautiful game, sprinkled with a hint of plume, Mike Lorenzo-Vera obviously vibrated during the last Masters won by Rory McIlroy. He also wanted to pay tribute to Justin Rosebeaten in a play-off by the North Irish, while signaling the gap that still existed between these exceptional players and the best French golfers.

« People ask themselves the question of why France has never won a major (Editor’s note, since Arnaud Massy au British Open in 1907). But never a French golfer hit the ball like Rory. Never. Never has a Frenchman had the package that a Justin has (Rose). Driving to putting. Never ! These guys are extraterrestrials. So I was very happy for Rory! »

« I would like to see Rory one day because I really need to ask him questions on the spot he played on the 13th (Sunday). Because I am French and I point to the negative side of things? Maybe ! I looked at this blow two days ago. I said to myself: “How was it possible? »» I would like to know, not know what happened in his swing or anything, I would like to know what he thought, what happened up there (in his head). I know that the bound was not so easy. With the bond he had, if you slow down a little, the club face closes and you go left (in the river). »»

« And then this blow at 17he ecstatic. How much was there? 195 yards (178 meters)? Eight, climbing. Look at it again and look where the flag is. There is no wind, but there is a little air. Tell me who on the planet strikes this golf coup? There must be three or four guys capable of doing so. I think the best thing that has happened to him was a double bogey (13). Then he went again in the fight … »

It’s going to be difficult to win because I’m going to be so drunk all week. It will be a week of celebration.

Mike Lorenzo-Vera

To finish on an even more festive and refreshing note while Mike Lorenzo-Vera “lives” his last months as a pro golfer, the duo asked him the question of what he would do if, dreams a little, he won at the end of August at the Omega European Masters, in the Swiss Alps …

« Yeah, there is no chancehe exclaims. It’s going to be difficult to win because I’m going to be so drunk (sic) all week. It will be a week of celebration. But I will work a lot in previous months. I will really try to take advantage of the moment … guys, I have never won on the circuit in 20 years. So, if I win this one, it’s really that something strange has happened. But I will try. I will try! »