Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano was the first to admit it’s a strange scenario this week for the defending BMW Masters champion.

Less than a week ago ‘Gonzo’, as he is more affectionately known, was teeing up in the PGA Tour’s 2014/15 McGladery Classic at Sea Island in Georgia and this week he is being showcased as the defending BMW Masters champion, and the first of the 2104 Final Four Series on the European Tour.

“It does feel very strange but while my new season in the States is well under way this will be my last event this year on the European Tour,” he said.

It was a pretty straight forward flight for ‘Gonzo’ to Shanghai after missing the third round cut in Georgia.

Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano is this week’s BMW Masters defending champion.

“I arrived here Tuesday night after flying first from Miami up to Chicago and then a straight 13-hour flight here to Shanghai,” he said.

“One of the first things I saw when arriving at the airport here in Shanghai was a picture of myself with some of the other stars this week, so that was great and it’s good to be back here as defending champion.

“Though I have to say seeing my picture was a bit spooky especially wearing that pullover I had on (laughing) but I have great memories of my win here a year that I have to say was the biggest of my career.

“I just seem to play well in China as I won the BMW Asian Open in Shanghai in 2006 and then was runner-up once in the Volvo China Open, so I like here.”

Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano featuring in one of the many billboards on display at Pudong Airport. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

The Spaniard, who has now based he and his family in Miami, tees up lying 140th on the 2014/15 PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup points table with just a share of 83rd place last week to show for his three events on the wraparound schedule.

Whereas he’s currently 86th on the 2014 Race to Dubai and while assured of retaining his 2015 European Tour card under the rules of the Play Off Series he failed to qualify automatically for any of the events given he is outside the leading 60 on the money list.

In fact, he bizarrely needed an invitation to defend his BMW Masters title.

“I knew I was always going to receive an invitation so that was good of BMW but it does seem strange playing a 2014 European Tour having already played three 2015 Tour events in the States,” he said.

“Also living a new life as myself and my family are now experiencing in Miami has affected my golf but I am hoping to turn it around.

“But this will be my last European Tour event unless I did what I did last week and win again this week.

Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano playing from a bunker down the last hole in last year’s BMW Masters final round. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)

“Unfortunately, it will be the first time in my career I have not contested the final event in Dubai so that will be a bit weird but as I said I haven’t been playing well and that is a price you pay.

“However I want to focus a little bit more playing in the States if not for myself but for the sake of my family.”

Gonzo’ will play the opening two BMW Masters rounds in the company of Scotland’s Marc Warren and Italy’s Matteo Manassero.