Thomas Bjorn will tee-up in this week’s Volvo Champions event not only looking to win for a second straight occasion in South Africa but looking to further boost hopes of competing in this year’s European Ryder Cup team.
Bjorn ended 2013 less than a month ago winning a second tournament of the year and a 15th European Tour title in capturing the Nedbank Challenge at Sun City.
The Danish golfer is this week among an elite field of 70 players seeking a double ‘Rainbow’ nation success in the $4m event being staged at the Durban Country Club laid out right alongside the Indian Ocean.
Thomas Bjorn sets sights on a second straight South African success in this week’s Volvo Champions. (Photo – www.europeantour.com)
Bjorn, who turns 43 next month, arrived in Durban lying second on the European Ryder Cup points table, and if successful in automatically qualifying would tee up in a first Ryder Cup in 12 years.
“I said a couple of years ago, I’m going to play in tournaments I enjoy playing in and I’m going to focus my life on doing what I want to do, and with the Ryder Cup, I’ve always said that’s a gift that’s given to you if you play well over a long period of time,” said Bjorn.
“I’ve got off to a fantastic start in the qualifying winning twice and I’ve had it in the back of my mind I want to play in another Ryder Cup.
“However I still have a lot to do to get there but then making the team sits there on the list and people are going to talk about it and I’m starting to get the questions, especially at home.
“But the focus will stay on the very short future and not something that happens in eight or nine month’s time.”
Bjorn created history in 1997 when he became the first Danish-born player to compete in the biennial competition winning under the late Seve Ballesesteros leadership and then being a member of Sam Torrance’s victorious 2002 European side.
However the current World No. 24 ranked Bjorn’s biggest fear in the countdown to September’s Ryder Cup is injury.
“I turn 43 next month, and I’m very well at that age, there’s certain limitations to what you can do,” he said.
“You can look at Miguel Angel (Jimenez) who’s now 50, but he’s not been through the injuries in his career.
“I’ve been injured on and off since I was 18 years old, and I still wake up every morning with pains and aches that are a problem for me and that can put a stop to my career any day, so why not enjoy the moment that I’m in.
“But then last year was probably the best year I’ve had without pain, and I played good for the most part of the season.
“That’s a positive though I have to also be realistic with myself, that in starting out this week on my 19th season on the European Tour, to just try and enjoy everything that’s in front of me.”
