REVIEWING areas of improvement has kept Bradford-on-Avon pro Laurie Canter occupied ahead of this weekend’s final Q-School qualification stage at Lumine Golf Club in Tarragona, Spain.
Canter’s performances in the build-up to Q-School – an annual qualification process that grants 25 players membership to next season’s European Tour – proved enough for him to bypass last week’s initial qualifying round.
With approximately 1,000 players jostling for 25 places, Canter has prepared for this weekend’s tournament in a relaxed style – taking two weeks of rest while working on his accuracy from the tee.
The 28-year-old Bath-born pro admits his lengthy range from the tee is proving to be his own downfall.
Targeting improved accuracy, the Cumberwell Park star has made some slight tweaks to his game ahead of his fourth Q-School appearance.
He said: “Last week I sat down with my caddy and a couple of people that have helped me this season to review where I am.
“There are a couple of areas I want to target improvement in moving forward.
“I drive the ball well, but for the length that I hit it I’m not hitting enough fairways. I’m trying to hit a few more fairways which will give me an advantage when I’m trying to reach the greens.
“Otherwise I’ll continue to work hard on my short game, which in the last month or so has really started to improve – I’m seeing some headway there.
“If my pitching is good and short-game is good, then it will help. So I will be focussing my attention on that this week.
“I’m always trying to keep on top of all of the other elements as well, it is a juggling act when you’re trying to get your game together.
“You can feel like one area you’re struggling in starts to improve, but then somewhere else slips by.
“You have to work hard on all areas.”
Despite his experience, the Wiltshire hope admits he will still feel nerves before his opening shot – something which he firmly believes isn’t such a bad thing.
“I imagine I will still be nervous, and I hope I am,” admitted Canter.
“I think it’s important to be nervous before qualifying – it’s a great opportunity to go and get that card and play at the top level.
“Q school is an opportunity, and if you burden it by saying you have everything to lose then it’s easier to fail.
“I think it’s very much an ‘everything to gain’ situation. With that in mind, I’ve had some nice experiences this year.
“It’s a fresh event, and I’m viewing this as an opportunity – hopefully I’ll play my best golf.”
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