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Mike Lorenzo-Vera laughed, cried and defied all logic in his first start in almost six months as he vaulted into early contention in Dubai. 

The Frenchman stepped back from the game last year to protect himself having become afflicted by crippling panic attacks and anxiety disorder during a troubling period.

It was satisfying in itself to see Lorenzo-Vera in the field at this week’s Dubai Desert Classic after his dark times, but not even he could have expected what was to come on his return.

As the 39-year-old dusted off his competitive rust, a sublime five-under 67 around the spectacular Majlis course served as a perfect comeback for one of the DP World Tour’s most cherished personalities.

• Mike Lorenzo-Vera: ‘I was screaming. I thought I was dying. I didn’t want to play.’

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“I was crying on the first tee,” Lorenzo-Vera said after his round. “I managed to hit an absolute dart down the middle of the fairway. Big mistake, I relaxed and managed to hit the worst 2-iron ever so I had to save a par. I had a lot of support since I came back. A lot of messages and a lot of people were very nice to me. It feels good.”

Lorenzo-Vera has conceded that as early as two months ago, the last thing he wanted to do was be at a golf tournament.

“It was really bad,” he said. “I didn’t sleep for a year and a half at least. Because I’m stubborn I just thought my (swing) take away was not good enough. I kept on pushing instead of resting.

“I was screaming, feeling like I was drowning and anxiety attacks when I was eating. Not the best moment. But it happens to a lot of people. Panic attacks. Anxiety disorder.

“You just have to take care of yourself when the anxiety comes in with mental visualisation and breathing and remember I’m blessed I’m a golf player. 

“That’s very different than the people who have the same problems and don’t have the opportunity to do what they love. Look at the big picture, relax and go to a place in your mind where you feel comfortable and things will come back.”

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He has found his own coping mechanisms, but Lorenzo-Vera believes he is proof that nobody is immune to mental health problems.

“I would never expect that to arrive to me,” he said. I thought if you play bad, just go play, work harder, just shut the f** up. Just work. And then I enjoy having some beers and some fun. Then there is a spiral I didn’t see coming. I don’t think anybody sees it coming, honestly.”

The tragic death of the PGA Tour player Grayson Murray last year sent a shivering reminder through elite golf about the struggles players can face behind the scenes.

“We’ve seen what happened last year with Grayson Murray,” Lorenzo-Vera added. “You don’t want that to happen again. When I called (DP World Tour) Andrew Murray, one hour or two hours later I already had a meeting with a psychologist. The tour has reacted unbelievably well.”

“It’s basically like when you have a lot of rubbish and the psychologist is the bin,” Lorenzo-Vera said. “You just put everything down there. If you keep your garbage in the garden after one year it’s going to look horrible.”

In an innovative change here at the Emirates Club, there is a designated Mental Fitness and Recovery Zone – an exclusive area that players and caddies can use during tournament week. The impressive facility includes sleep chambers, a “zen den” and a relaxing virtual reality experience.


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Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.

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