The goal for Joseba Torres is simple: finish in the top 20 at the final stage of the DP World Tour Qualifying School and earn a card, just like his uncle, Jose Maria Olazabal, did in 1985.
To follow in the two-time Masters champion’s footsteps, however, Torres is relying on Ollie to follow in his, so to speak, at Infinitum Golf in Tarragona, Spain. As Torres makes his way around the Lakes and Hills courses during the 108-hole marathon, he does so with Olazabal by his side as his caddie.
“I’ve practised with him a lot,” Torres told the DP World Tour website, “and to have him on the bag with his experience and his knowledge, I’m very lucky.”
There are caddies and then there are caddies 💪
Joseba Torres has his uncle and two-time Masters winner José María Olazábal on the bag this week 🤯#DPWTQSchool pic.twitter.com/qqRgOcdTT6
— DP World Tour Q-School (@DPWTQSchool) November 8, 2024
A former Spanish Under-16 champion who played college golf in the US at Division II Nova Southeastern University before recently turning pro, Torres showed some of his uncle’s famous grit just to get to into the 156-player field that includes the likes of Edoardo Molinari, Chris Wood, Stephen Gallagher and Eddie Pepperell. Torres, 22, overcame weather delays at first stage and a rough third round at second stage. In playing for the first time in the final stage, the 22-year-old believes Olazabal’s experience can help him stay patient and focused.
“Whatever he says, ‘I say yes, let’s go and do it,’ because I really trust him,” says Torres, who first played golf with Olazabal when he was just 3 years old. “I know he isn’t going to say anything that I don’t need to do so I really trust what he says.”
And why not? Olazabal, 58, claimed 23 DP World Tour titles during his stellar playing career, which began with him taking medallist honours at Q-School 39 years ago.
“The knowledge he has of how to play the shot, what to do in a certain situation… all the stuff that when you’re playing by yourself you don’t really deal with very well,” Torres says. “With him it’s so easy because he tells you exactly what you need to do. Obviously in a tournament it is different but he has always been with me and he knows what I’m more comfortable with and not. He really knows my game.”
Torres shot a two-under 69 in his opening round on the Lakes course, eight shots off the early lead but only three out of that coveted top-20 position.
