Juan Postigo Arce using Seve as inspiration at Woburn

Juan Postigo Arce is taking inspiration from countryman Seve Ballesteros ahead of teeing it up at the inaugural G4D Open at Woburn.

The 27-year-old was born in the same part of Northern Spain as five-time Major winner and Ryder Cup legends Ballesteros and this week’s venue was the scene of two of his 50 DP World Tour titles.  

Postigo Arce now takes his place in a field of 80 male and female players over the Duchess Course, with nine sport classes represented in the 54-hole stroke play event held in partnership between The R&A and the DP World Tour and supported by EDGA.  

Having won his maiden G4D Tour title in Abu Dhabi in January, he is eager to help play his part in building on the momentum in the all abilities game, just like Ballesteros transformed golf in Europe.

“Seve inspired not just his generation of European players, worldwide players,” Postigo Arce said.

“When you say you are from the same area, even more, even bigger.

“The passion he put into the game, the creativity he put, how he changed the game is something we have to achieve right now as a group of players.”

Last year, the 27-year-old was invited by The R&A to take part in the Celebration of Champions ahead of The 150th Open at St Andrews – an experience he remembers with great pride.

“Obviously that, if I have to say one highlight, that's the highlight of my career,” he said.

“It's not a competition, but obviously being invited as a guest to play that Tournament of Champions in St Andrews for the 150th Open, you can't expect more from this game I think.

“It was an unbelievable experience to play against 25,000 people, to play with Jordan Spieth, Mark Calcavecchia and Ian Baker-Finch, nothing compares to that.”

Postigo Arce, born without much of his right leg and no knee, started playing golf at the age of 12 and his progress in the game has proven a source of inspiration to many observers.

Explaining the work he has done over the years on his swing, he added: “I work hard on my stability and core strength, leg strength, so as to be able to get enough speed to compete against the players I'm competing this week.

“We've done a very good job, a job that has been very basic, from the roots, the hands, everything.”

In the inaugural G4D Tour campaign last year, Postigo Arce finished sixth in all seven events on the schedule and, prior to his victory in the Middle East in January, he placed third at the season-opening Australian All Abilities Championship @ the ISPS HANDA Australian Open.

He has since taken some time away from competitive action but believes his game is in a good place as he looks to make more history as the first ever winner of the G4D Open.

“I'm playing well,” he said. “I'm swinging the club confidently. It's been quite a few weeks with no competitive golf.

“Sometimes feeling rusty is not the best thing but I'm playing good enough. I'm confident about myself and my mind is in the place it has to be to compete. I'm fine and looking forward to this week.”