It has not been a path of roses climbing into the top-10 of the world amateur ranking (his best position so far has been eighth). However, neither has it been a painful journey, especially because he loves what he does and passionately enjoys the time he can dedicate to his favorite sport. Álvaro Mueller-Baumgart Lucena, a 16-year-old Malaga-born son of a German father and Spanish mother, started playing golf at the age of three, when his father took him to a public driving range near his home, “and since then I have been hooked”. Coached – like Azahara Muñoz, Noemí Jiménez, Ángel Hidalgo and many other champions – at the Royal Guadalmina Golf Club Academy, Álvaro enjoyed an extraordinary season last year, winning the Spanish International Under-18, National Spanish and National Under-18 Championships.

What is the main attraction of golf compared with other sports, such as football, which you also like? 

What distinguishes golf from other sports such as football, for me, is the pressure you feel when you are playing, because every shot counts.

What has Royal Guadalmina Golf Club Academy given you as an athlete and a person? 

Thanks to the Guadalmina academy I have maintained an interest in golf. They have very good teachers who make the classes fun, but what sets Guadalmina's academy apart from others are all the children they have there and the friendships created during classes.

What are your short-term goals for this year? 

This year I would love to win an Inter-regional with the Andalucian team, as last year we were so close. A more immediate objective is to defend the Spanish Under-18 Championship title.

What has been your greatest satisfaction as a golfer so far? 

Without a doubt, winning the Spanish National Championship – winning with a birdie on the last was incredible.

And the biggest disappointment? 

Although last year was pretty good, losing in the first round of the European team championship, having won the medal competition and with the great team we had, was quite hard.

What did you think or feel when you saw yourself in the top-10 of the world ranking? 

It was wonderful but to be honest I don’t give much importance to the world ranking. For me the most important thing is that I am the best player I can be.

 

You plan to study at a university in the United States. What do you think that experience, especially as a golfer, will bring you? 

I hope it helps me a lot to develop as a player. I can play at courses very similar to those on the US PGA Tour, with very good people, and I think that will help me when I turn pro.

As you say, your aspirations include becoming a professional. What goals would you like to achieve in that field? 

In professional golf I would like to get onto the European Tour. It has been one of my dreams since I was a kid and I don't think there can be a better way to make a living.

Which of the current top players do you feel most identified with and why? 

The truth is I don’t feel very identified with any of them because nowadays they all hit 300 metres off the tee and I still don’t hit it that far. I also think that my style of play is unique, and I would like to keep it that way.