Frenchman Julien Guerrier ended his long wait for his first major title as he beat Jorge Campillo in a nine-hole playoff at the DP World Tour’s Andalucía Masters in Spain.
The crowds in Sotogrande were treated to a thrilling battle between home favorite Campillo and Guerrier on Sunday, with the lead changing hands throughout the afternoon before the big game had to be cut short after Guerrier drilled his clutch 16-metre finish. 18th to join his playing partner at 21 under through 72 holes.
The Frenchman came out on top in the ninth over, daringly diving from eight feet to enter the winner’s circle for the first time in his 230th start.
Campillo saved a crucial putt on the first playoff hole as he knocked in from range to keep the tournament alive, before both players bogeyed the second extra hole. Campillo had a seven-foot birdie putt for victory on the third play-off hole but sent it wide.
The fourth, fifth, and sixth extra holes were split in two, before Guerrier chipped in on the seventh extra hole. The contest was finally decided on the ninth extra hole as Guerrier holed his par putt to secure the trophy.
The 38-year-old started the week 81st in the Race to Dubai standings, and left Sotogrande having moved up 63 places to 18th and earning his place in the season-ending DP World Tour Championship next month.
Guerrier says: “I feel good. My game was not in the best shape, but my puttingwas very good and I fought as hard as I could.
“Standing in the last place I was thinking of my children and they gave me the strength to cross the line. I have been waiting for a long time and I am very bitter now. I have to thank them for supporting me throughout my career.”
England’s Daniel Brown finished third at 19 under par, while Jordan Smith and Rasmus Højgaard moved back to fourth.
Jon Rahm, making his second appearance in Spain last month, posted a five-under 67 to move up to sixth at 17 under par.
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