Antoine Rozner: “I didn’t imagine myself in this position mid-season. »

Of the six French people entered this week in Dubai for the last tournament of the 2023-24 DP World Tour season, Antoine Rozner is the most experienced. He will thus compete in his 5th DP World Tour Championship. And as the years go by, the Racingman feels more confident on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates. A good omen for those who must at least secure a top 3 to validate their right to play on the 2025 PGA Tour.

Comments collected by Lionel VELLA, in Dubai

It is in the immediate vicinity of the putting green of Jumeirah Golf Estatesjust before taking part in his pro-am on Tuesday afternoon, which Antoine Rozner made an appointment with us. Sheltered from an already very offensive sun while the clock does not yet show 11:30 a.m. local (8:30 a.m. in France), the 23rd player of the Race gives us his impressions before a final tournament which could, who knows, upset totally his life as a professional golfer.

GOLF PLANETE: What state of mind are you in now a few hours before this very important DP World Tour Championship?
Antoine ROZNER: Everything is fine. I don't know if I feel at home here but it's true that I have a lot of fun on this course. This is the 5th time that I have played this final, having had more or less success in the past… (Editor’s note, 11th in 2023, 34th in 2022, 39th in 2021, 36th in 2020). I'm starting to have my eye on it. I have the feeling from year to year that I am making my mark. This remains a journey that is not easy. You have to take a lot of fairways if you want to be aggressive on the second shots. It will come down to the details, pulling out the right moves at the right time. The roughs may be thicker this year. But they were already quite good in previous years. This is why you have to take the fairways. We are going to be in difficulty there while we can be very aggressive on the fairways. This will be the big key of the week.

GP: You had some small problems with the heat during the first round in Abu Dhabi last week. This will also be an important factor, right?
A.R. : Yes, without a doubt. I had a lot of trouble, especially the first round. I had underestimated this heat a little but I corrected the situation afterwards. I drank a lot (twice as much water as on Thursday), I also took the umbrella (to cover myself from the sun). There, it's a little cooler than last week (Editor's note, we announce between 29 and 32 degrees during the four rounds). So, no worries on that front.

I didn't calculate. Top 5 minimum… I don’t even know if that would be enough.

Antoine Rozner on the subject of the ten spots at stake for the PGA Tour

GP: You remain in a very solid 6th place in Abu Dhabi, including 54 consecutive holes without having conceded the slightest bogey…
A.R. : Yes, I played really well between Friday and Sunday. All areas of the game were super solid. -21 over the last three laps in Abu Dhabi, I enjoyed myself. It's very cool to finish on this good note and this 6th place after a first round in +1.

GP: What are you most proud of when looking back on this season?
A.R. : I would say my performance during big tournaments, and more particularly the Rolex Series. I was very good. That was the big positive point. That's almost what I was missing at the start of my career. This year, I was present at each of the big tournaments (Editor's note, 16th Hero Dubai Desert Classic, 26th at the Scottish Open, 7th at the BMW PGA Championship, 6th at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship but also 4th at the Genesis Championship and 5th at the Italian Open). I feel better and better and more and more comfortable at these events.

GP: You occupy 23rd place in the Race. What should you aim for to secure one of the ten places at stake to progress on the PGA Tour in 2025?
A.R. : I didn't calculate. Top 5 minimum… I don’t even know if that would be enough. In any case, you have to put in a big week. It would be the icing on the cake if it works. We know it's a very tough week. You have to get out of the big golf course. I didn't imagine myself in this position halfway through the season. So that’s quite a bonus. If I can get an opportunity on Sunday, I won't miss it.

GP: The top 25 in the Race qualifies you for the moment at The Open at Portrush next July. Is this also a goal that you have in mind?
A.R. : Yes and no. There are plenty of opportunities to qualify for the British. So I prefer to focus on the week and try to do my best here. It will come if I can qualify. That would be great but I want to go for a good result first. It’s more important than qualifying for the British…

GP: The 2024-25 season starts next week in Australia. What will your schedule be like until Christmas?
A.R. : I'm going to South Africa to play the Nedbank Challenge ($6 million in prize money scheduled from December 5 to 8). And then there will be Mauritius in Mont-Choisy (AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open from December 19 to 22). It's always a tournament that I really enjoy. I won there two years ago. So I'm very happy to go back.

Photo : ROSS KINNAIRD / GETTY IMAGES EUROPE / Getty Images via AFP