Marcel Siem has been one of the DP World Tour’s outstanding protagonists for just over two decades, a time in which the now 44-year-old has claimed six titles. He played his 500th tour tournament two years ago at the Laguna National Golf Resort Club. He is now back at what for him is a special place and has met up with Freddy Schott with whom he has enjoyed an exceptional friendship ever since their days together at the Düsseldorfer Golf Club. The experienced Siem helped Schott when he was a rookie in professional golf. In the meantime, the 23-year-old is one of the biggest talents on the DP World Tour and has showed his improving form after recently posting two Top 10 finishes.
Freddy, last year you were the best German at the Porsche Singapore Classic when placing 16th. Marcel was absent at the time. Now the two of you are both competing here. What changes for you when you play a tournament together?
Freddy Schott: We’re first of all happy with things. It’s obviously nice to have a friend around you. We always try to support each other the best we can. It helps during the tournament. We’ve already spent a lot of intensive time together in our lives. During Corona, we were together for weeks on end in a house in South Africa where we played golf every day. Since then, his daughters see me as a big brother. A close friendship has evolved and it’s really nice.”
Marcel Siem: Yeah, it’s pretty cool to have such a great sparring partner also on tour. Our friendship really is something else. The time in South Africa welded us together. But golf is obviously not a team game. We’ll be friends throughout our lives. But we both want to win. On the golf course, there’s no chance I’ll let him win. No matter, he’s a great guy. I obviously wouldn’t have been so passionate with anybody else when helping them embark on their career.
Freddy Schott: When I was 15, Marcel was the big Marcel. But he showed me the way, took me in and accompanied me with open arms. I’ll never forget what he did.
How did Marcel start becoming first a kind of mentor and then a friend?
Marcel Siem: We both come from the Düsseldorfer Golf Club. His coach is a good friend of mine. And he spoke about me meeting Freddy and that we should play a bit together. Freddy was about 15 back then. Later he caddied for me at a DP World Tour tournament and saw that he was not far off doing what it takes. I wanted to allay his fears and show that there’s nothing out of the ordinary. I introduced him to everybody. The tour is a kind of family, and it helps to know the people around you. At the same time, it was clear that I couldn’t take away the task of playing golf for him. He has to do his own thing and gain his own experiences. We after all learn from our mistakes.
Freddy Schott: I think I have to make the mistakes so that I can feel the consequences. Marcel was really good at paving the way for me, he opened my eyes. It led me to thinking of living life as a pro golfer.
Marcel Siem: We always wish each other all the very best. And naturally we exchange ideas about the courses during the tournament. Where are the tricky flag placements, where do I have to take care? At the same time, we have very different games, and you have to be true to yourself and do your own thing.
When you travel around the world together, how much time do you spend in each other’s company?
Marcel Siem: We do try to stay in the same hotels. I’m a father and Freddy has a girlfriend. We basically have the same interests. But going out to dinner every evening, that’s not on. There are days when you want to eat in your room. I’m 44 and I’m sometimes knackered (laughs). We’ve learnt to get on with one another and not to be offended if one of us says, “I need a spot of peace and quiet.”
Freddy Schott: Off course, we almost never speak about golf. We both know that it’s not necessary. For sure, if one of us plays a brilliant round then you’re so pumped up that you want to talk about it. But that’s all.
Marcel Siem: We prefer to talk about cars and such things.
There’s a fair bit to talk about cars here at the Porsche Singapore Classic. Marcel , up until the present day, you are the only male golf pro to win a Porsche with by hitting hole-in-one, as you secured yourself a Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo in 2017 at the Porsche European Open. There’s a Taycan Turbo S at stake this week.
Marcel Siem: I’d love to do it once again. The Taycan on the 17th really is brilliant motivation, it’s not something we have so often on tour. It was crazy back then. Winning such a prize is amazing. But that’s how things are at Porsche events. They are always something special, the cars are fantastic. Porsche turns everything into a real premium golf tournament. Everyone thinks it’s pretty cool.
Freddy Schott: It’s definitely another feeling when you arrive here, and you see the Porsches. The whole set-up makes everything more interesting, a little more noble. It just has to be said. A bigger tingle goes down your spine. Especially on the 17th. The hole suits the brand. A great green, water everywhere, just over 160 metres, the wind – you really do earn the Porsche there. But I reckon I’ll start thinking about the Porsche when the ball is heading for the flag. I will be in a tunnel before then.
Marcel Siem: I’ll be going for the Porsche every time. Therefore, aiming right at the flag. It’s in my genes. The hole-in-one is a goal this week.
What are the other ones?
Marcel Siem: I’m looking forward to a fantastic week and I want to give myself a chance. Two weeks ago in South Africa, I finished in the Top 10 for the first time this year. I definitely want to build on it. I’m looking for a Top 20 finish at the Porsche Singapore Classic. Two years ago, I played my 500th DP World Tour tournament here so I have a very emotional bond with this event. I’ve got a good feeling. And the Top 20 also includes a win. I’ve won a tournament every year recently. I fancy doing it again.
Freddy Schott: For me it’s always difficult to set a goal. My game feels good. I want to try to do as well as possible. That was my attitude in the past weeks. And it worked out, so I’ll keep things the same way.
What do you intend doing away from the course?
Marcel Siem: Singapore is an incredibly cool city. I love the food, the many influences and I’m really looking forward to it. I like the kind of island feeling. It’s something you have here, and the people are mega friendly.
Freddy Schott: I want to go downtown at least once every year. It’s great there. The mixture you’ve just described pervades everywhere. I like the combination of the highly modern, the tropical and Asian feeling. It’s exceptional.
