CAPE TOWN - George Coetzee is trying to prevent his expectations getting the better of him at this week’s European Tour AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open.
He won the event in 2015 and finished 27th defending his title a year later, and comes into the event at Heritage Golf Club in decent form having recorded three top 10 finishes in his last seven starts.
“Obviously, it feels like you’ve come home when you come to this place - they take such good care of you,” the three-time European Tour winner said. “The golf course is in great nick and it’s just sunny days every day; you wake up and it’s just perfect outside.
“I’ve obviously got great memories of this place - it’s going to be hard to keep expectations down this week, but that will be the goal. I really like the golf course, it’s in great condition and it’s really fun to play. If you can have a good strong mental game for the week that will help.”
Some of Coetzee’s main challengers this week are likely to be compatriots Dean Burmester and Louis Oosthuizen. And both players are taking a relaxed approach to the tri-sanctioned event.
“It’s a different vibe this week - the resort is such a nice spot and everyone is having such a good time,” said former Open champion Oosthuizen.
“A lot of people have got their families here and it’s a very relaxed week.”
In-form Burmester enjoyed an impressive European Tour campaign this year, with a fourth-place finish at the DP World Tour Championship propelling him to 41st on the Race to Dubai.
And the 28-year-old is keen to kick on again this season.
“I’m feeling good,” he said. “I had a nice week’s holiday here in Mauritius last week. I’m very pleased with the year, I pretty much ticked every box - just didn’t play any Majors or world golf championships.
"I contended in quite a few big tournaments with some of the best players in the world ... Hopefully, we can keep the ball rolling.”