The ACCIONA Open de España presented by Madrid always provides opportunities for young players, or those that do not frequent the big tours, to tee it up at a first-class event, but Hugo Esposito’s story is an unusual one, even for this tournament.
Having come through qualifying at the Centro Nacional de Golf a few weeks ago, where he won thanks to a stunning 65, this week he will be playing his first big event as a professional. The 25-year-old Madrid native has never played on the DP World Tour or the Challenge Tour, Europe’s second-tier circuit.
“I turned pro almost two years ago, and since then I’ve only played in events on satellite tours like the Alps Tour and the Pro Golf Tour in Germany, and the truth is that I haven’t really had good results, so this is completely new for me. Having qualified to play in a tournament like this in Madrid, my city, with some of the best in the world is a dream that I didn’t expect to come true so soon, but anything can happen in a qualifying event”.
On Monday, Esposito took to the course with Javier Herranz, his caddie this week, a fellow Madrid native, who was carrying the bag for Sebastian Garcia a few weeks ago on the DP World Tour, and will be helping his friend and practice partner from the Real Sociedad Hipica golf course at the ACCIONA Open this week.
“Javi and I know each other very well and we practice in the same group of players, we’re good friends and I have thought for a long time that he would be my caddie if I got a DP World Tour card. On the 18th green of the qualifier I found out that he wasn’t with Sebas anymore, so I asked if he would carry my bag this week, I’m delighted he accepted. I’m sure he’ll bring a lot of things to the table, from calm when I get nervous, organisation, strategy and knowhow, from today onward, because he’s been on the Tour for two and a half years and I don’t have that experience, so he’ll be my biggest adviser this week”.
For this week, Esposito has no particular goal in mind in terms of his result, he knows that this is not his war to fight and that he has to enjoy this experience as much as possible without putting pressure on himself. He has a good head on his shoulders and he knows that is his biggest strength, both in golf and in life.
“In the world of golf we’re all pretty ‘loco’, but despite that craziness, I would consider myself a very objective, self-critical person who understands his own reality. Therefore, this week I’m not thinking about goals. The important thing is to enjoy myself, evaluate myself and be capable of maintaining the continuous improvement I’ve enjoyed this year, just with a much bigger challenge in front of me than the ones I’m used to. I’m preparing for a two-day first tournament, and if I make the cut, I’ll play another two-day tournament”.
Born and bred in Spain, but to French parents, his passion for golf started early, when his father, who was also with him for his practice on Monday, became a fan of the sport and very quickly involved little Hugo in it. He juggled it with rugby, but soon saw that golf was his thing, and he set about the dream of making it his profession.
“Maybe being sure so young that I wanted to be a professional didn’t help that much, and I’m sure I pressured myself more than I should, but this is where we are and I can’t change the past. When I was little I won the odd youth event, but I’ve never been about big results, even though I’m sure I want to stick with my golf because, as I’ve shown with this opportunity, you never know where it might take you”.
He won’t be alone this week, as the fact that he is playing in Madrid means that his friends and family will be here. Also, Hugo will have a very special guest in the crowds who didn’t want to miss out on the opportunity:
“My 84-year-old grandfather is coming from France to watch me. I’m really excited about it because he’s getting old and for him to be able to enjoy watching me is really special. My mother, who went to live in France four years ago, will be here with him so it will be great for us all to get together again”.
