Meet “El Toro”

You go under the nickname "El Toro". Why is that?

- That was something my previous trainer Eric Öster came up with in Spain. At the road side of motorways we noticed thousands of signs resembling black bulls. I was pretty known for my bad temper, and I didn't quite look like other swedes with my South American heritage. That combination gave me the nickname "El Toro", and it has stuck ever since.

You've traded holidays and summer on Skaftö for work and roving life in Europe. How does that feel?

- It's a dream coming true. I could imagine living this life for at least another 20 years. Of course I miss the prettiest island in the world, and life as you live it there in the summer, but at the same time the life on the European Tour makes me appreciate coming home even more. It feels so right to kick back and relax on the island.

You once said that you "will always be a big kid on the inside". Does this affect your view on golf in any way?

- To me golf is so much joy and passion, so it's really easy for me to laugh and enjoy life. That makes it easier for me to shrug off a bad round than for many others. To remain a child on the inside is something I grew up with, it comes from my father being just the same. I think it runs in the family.

What advice did your friend Thomas Björn give you before your rookie season?

- That you have to decide early who to trust and not be too naïve.

Already in March you were able to climb the podium on the European Tour. How did you feel that night?

- That was really a bad night. I had to fly back to Rome and stay in a crap hotel at the airport. I landed half past two in the morning and had a sweaty sandwich and a beer for dinner on the plane. High life? Jet set life? Not really, ha ha.

What is the best thing with the European Tour as a workplace?

- Meeting with top players week in and week out. It's also very rewarding to find out just what it takes to become a top player.

How would you describe your feelings when you step up to the first tee off in an important tournament?

- I long to lower the first birdie putt.

What are your long term objectives?

- To win a major, to open "Joel Sjöholm Golf schools" around the world; for poor children and for children interested in golf.

You're playing in clothes from the Oscar Jacobson golf collection. What's your opinion about them?

- The clothes from OJ look really funny. I know that they are provocative, and it will be really fun to put their clothes on this year and show the world a thing or two.

Is it necessary to show "personality" on the tour, in a sea of pro's that often blend in together?

- Of course it is more fun if the spectators recognize a player for how he dresses or how he behaves on the course. I like clothes with a sense of class and groovy colors. It's really fun to put together your own wardrobe that protrudes on the tour. Most guys on the tour do a good job, but are in bad need of new wardrobes. There's still a lot to be done to make the game a bit more fun.