News
Villegas takes on “big” Earth
19 November 2009
Back to Archive
Colombian Camilo Villegas welcomed the “big” challenge posed by the stunning Earth course after joining the early frontrunners at the Dubai World Championship presented by: DP World.
The poster-boy of world golf finished six under par on Greg Norman’s mammoth 7,675 yard course at Jumeirah Golf Estates which is being played competitively for the very first time this week.
“It’s big, I can tell you that. Bunkers are big, greens are big, slopes are big, and the golf course is long,” said Villegas.
“I think it (the course) played okay today. The greens are still receptive, so those when they tuck the pins, you can still kind of go at them. The course is in good shape. There’s not much rough.
“I think by the end of the week we are going to have a better idea of how good the golf course is, and the way they set the pins, how the players play it, how the wind treats us, and how the scores reflect the golf course. But so far, I’m enjoying it.”
Villegas looked comfortable and in good touch during his opening round which saw him join England’s Chris Wood at one shot behind the tournament leader Robert Allenby.
The 27-year-old, a well known fitness fanatic, has been balancing a hectic schedule on both The European and PGA Tours but said he was enjoying the challenge.
“It’s been interesting,” he said. It’s definitely harder than people think. The good thing, not having a family, not having kids that you have to leave at home, definitely makes it a lot easier.
“But I was in Colombia, and then I took a plane overnight to Spain; I took a Spain overnight from Spain to China; I took a plane overnight from China to New Zealand; I took a plane overnight from New Zealand to Dubai; and I’m taking one overnight back home. If you think about it, that’s one month, five nights spent on a plane.
“So it’s definitely something I still need to get used to. Am I enjoying playing both tours? Yes. Great people, great places, great cultures, great tournaments. But it’s tough.”
