Pirates spent their entire lives searching for treasure.
They navigated stormy seas, sailed with no genuine route or map. All they had was hope and determination.
After nearly nine years of his own global exploration, ‘El Pirata’ is still negotiating tricky courses.
The Spanish golfer based in Dubai – real name Adrian Otaegui – is searching for his first bit of major loot and while there are more rough days than good for golfers, the two-time European Tour winner has enjoyed every minute of the journey so far.
His nickname incidentally is not because of any comparisons to Long John Silver, but rather his movie-star good looks and high-watt smile.
“The Pirate name came a few years ago with some friends of mine. It was in the summer during a break. We were going out a little bit. One of the guys called me the Pirate and it followed after. I quite like it,” Otaegui told Sport360.
“The kids love it as well when we go all over the world. It’s very easy for them to remember. I’ve got my own logo as well and it’s a fun thing.”
Four events into the new season, he is still searching. Hoping to rediscover that magic again after slipping from 65th to 233rd in the world rankings.
A new year starts with the same ambitions and dreams. A chance to reboot and go again.
He opened the campaign with a share of 33rd at the Alfred Dunhill Links in South Africa, a disappointing final round 80 curtailing what was an otherwise productive weekend.
His short game let him down in Abu Dhabi and he missed the cut by three shots. However, Otaegui bounced back the following week to finish in a tie for 45th at the Dubai Desert Classic.
In his most recent outing on February 2, the San Sebastian man struck a one-under 279 to tie 38th alongside Alexander Levy and Victor Perez at the Saudi International.
It’s still early days in a long campaign but results aside, he feels his game is in a solid place.
“I felt, at the end of the last season, I was tired and wasn’t playing that well so I needed a little break. As soon as I took a break before the Alfred Dunhill, the game felt in a great place,” said the 27-year-old.
“The first tournament at Alfred Dunhill Championship, I played very well. I shot a very bad score on Sunday but I was in the top-five going into the final round.
“There was a big break between South Africa and Abu Dhabi. I struck the ball well in Abu Dhabi but just didn’t score well. My biggest weakness was my short game, which I’m normally good at.
“There was an improvement in the Dubai Desert Classic. I was in the top-25 after two days. I was getting there. In Saudi, I felt good. I felt in control of my shots and I improved the short game.
“It’s been very positive in terms of my feelings on the golf course, in how I’m striking the ball. Definitely more so than the results itself.”
Of his nine years on the pro circuit, 2018 stands out as his most promising yet.
He achieved his second European Tour title at the Belgian Knockout in Antwerp to add to his maiden crown from the Paul Lawrie Match Play in August 2017.
Other notable results that year included second at the China Open and an additional four top-10s plus seven top-25s from 27 starts.
He finished the year ranked 67th in the world and progress was beginning to show in all facets of his game.
“My best year was in 2018. I had very good results. I felt very consistent. I finished 23rd in the Race to Dubai with just one win. I was in the top-20s many times,” said the Al Laith sponsored golfer.
“I feel good around the course now, however, I feel that I make too many silly mistakes. As soon as I remove those mistakes I will be up the leaderboard again.”
His game is feeling sharp and, at 27, he is still young and continuing to improve. Golf can be a fickle game at times and players need to stay patient as difficult as it can be when things are not going their way.
“My target is not to win one tournament or to have one good year. I want to have a long and successful career,” he said.
“I’d rather feel I’m in contention week after week. I think that way I’ll have more chances to win more tournaments, rather than winning one tournament and disappearing after.”
Ranked outside the top-200, he is rediscovering that rhythm to allow him to fire back to his best. It’s just all about finding that stride and that will come with some positive results, confidence, and a bit of luck.
“I don’t think I do anything extraordinary. I feel like I’m good on all parts of the game. I’m not the longest, I’m not the best putter, but I think I’m very consistent in general,” he said.
“One of the main targets this year will be to get back to the DP World Tour Championship, finish high in the Race to Dubai, get back into the top-100 and to be able to play majors again.
“I just want to keep feeling good on the golf course. That’s the most important thing. When you feel good, you manage the round well and big scores will come quick. Then it’s all about confidence. In your golfing career, you’ll have some good moments, some bad moments.
“The target is to keep the big moments as long as possible and minimise the bad moments.”
For the past eight years, life has been in Dubai. As he sees first hand, golf in the UAE continues to grow thanks largely to three European Tour events – DP World Tour Championship, Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and Dubai Desert Classic – taking place each year.
With plenty of academies, beautiful facilities and favourable weather conditions, the interest is only going to increase as time goes on.
With Otaegui and other professional golfers living in the Emirates, young kids have popular players to aspire towards.
Knowing European Tour players are practicing on the same greens and walking the same streets on a regular basis will allow young stars to dream big.
“I remember when I was a kid, I used to practice a bit with (Jose Maria) Olazabal. From five, six and seven, I used to see him all the time. It’s something kids will never forget. The kids need to have a role model to be inspired by,” he said.
“It’s so important to grow the sport and for the kids, the future, to play the game. To make those kids have a reference or an idol to look at when they practice.
“In the UAE, as soon as they have a good player, it’ll make the kids play and enjoy more. It’ll make a big difference. That’s what we have to do to promote the sport and make the younger players get into it.
“I’m helping the UAE Federation. I have a great relationship with them and I love to try and help grow the game here. It’s so important for the future of golf. I love being here.”
Adrian Otaegui is an Al Laith sponsored European Tour golfer. Al Laith are a Dubai-based scaffolding service provider for construction and access solutions.
