Rafa Cabrera Bello was in bullish mood about his chances of reaching the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship following his 69 on Moving Day at the Genesis Championship.
The top 70 in the Race to Dubai rankings after the event at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club will earn their place in the first event of the DP World Tour Play-Offs next month - a position which the Spaniard occupied before teeing off in Cheonan.
Cabrera Bello, who has won four times on the DP World Tour, sits five shots behind third-round leaders Mikael Lindberg and Nacho Elvira in a tie for 19th place at three under, which would be enough, as it stands, for a guaranteed spot at Yas Links.
"It does (get easier). You look at it with a different perspective," the 41-year-old said. "There’s still pressure, I put in a lot of hours on the game. I still want to perform at my best.
"I like to compete, I like to be up there for an event in any given week. That’s pressure, you learn to deal with it better the older you get. I would say there still is pressure, it’s just slightly different.
"You mean ‘when’ I make it to Abu Dhabi? I feel like it could be the comeback year, somewhat. It’s two very big events, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Who knows?
"There’s a lot of Cinderella stories. I’m not saying I’m Cinderella, but it’s a course where I’ve played good before and had good results.
"A lot can change in one or two weeks in this game. At the moment, just focus on doing it and once you’re there, anything is possible."
Another player in the hunt for a place at Abu Dhabi is Englishman Ben Schmidt.
Schmidt, who earned his 2025 DP World Tour playing privileges through Q-School at the end of last year, began the week in 65th position and heads into the final round in South Korea one shot adrift of Cabrera Bello in a tie for 29th at two under, which would be just enough as things stand.
"I feel like this season my first goal was to keep my card," the Rotherham native said. "Once that was complete, you’re playing for Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
"I don’t feel like I think about that too much, ultimately I’m just trying to turn up and play the best I can and wherever I stand at the end of the week, that’s it.
"Same this week, just playing golf, see how well I can play then on Sunday that’s where I sit. If I get in, brilliant, if not, it is what it is. I’ll try my best to get there, it would be amazing.
"It adds a little bit of pressure. I want to be there and playing. For me, it keeps me focused, gives me a goal.
"I’m always working towards things, to be working towards that and giving me that, it helps when I’m out there on the course, trying to make these putts. It gives me an extra bit of focus and determination to go out there and perform."
