The battle for this year’s Spanish Open came down to a home tournament on Sunday when Andalusia’s Angel Hidalgo held off three-time champion Jon Rahm, who was born in the Basque region, in a qualifying match to win the historic title.
The pair faced each other in the final set with Spain’s David Puig, with Rahm finishing birdie-birdie at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid to leave them tied at 14 under par, after Hidalgo missed three feet. to win in normal time.
It was the first Spanish team final in the national game since 2019, when Rahm won comfortably ahead of Rafa Cabrera Bello and Samuel Del Val.
It was close this time, right from the start when Hidalgo made two birdies in one night on the first hole – he missed a three-foot putt and made bogey while Rahm, also the champion in 2018 and 2022, started with a birdie, as did Puig. after one shot.
As the lead changed hands between the three throughout the round, it was Rahm’s 19-foot putt for birdie on the 17th that cut Hidalgo’s lead to the last and Rahm’s birdie was the last, as Hidalgo’s putt sat to the right of the hole to set the game- off.
Both players bogeyed the first extra hole, but after Rahm’s chip slipped on the second, Hidalgo holed a two-foot putt to win to claim his first DP World Tour title.
FROM FANS TO FAN LOVE
Hidalgo, 26, who played in the Alps Tour in 2020-21, said: “Three years ago, I came to this tournament as a spectator to support Jon, so to stop him as he just won this tournament is not real!”
“I was pretty relaxed all day, even on the first tee, I don’t know why. Even when I missed the first short putt – and the 72nd hole – I didn’t give up.
This win belongs to everyone who has always believed in me – my team, my family, especially my singer, who is also my best friend.”
Puig finished in the group at 10 under with Jens Fahrbring, Tommy Fleetwood, Joe Dean, Grant Forrest and Sean Crocker.
“I GAVE MYSELF A CHANCE TO WIN”
Rahm, who has been making a rare appearance on the DP World Tour, having joined LIV Golf this season, said: “To win the Spanish Open with all the support there has been is very special. You could see how much Angel felt for you and how important it was to him. May he learn from these moments and enjoy them.”
“It’s sad that I lost in the play-offs and I couldn’t have done better today. I wouldn’t say it was a bad week. I gave myself a chance to win, which is what I wanted. I gave it my all until the end, and I’m proud of myself.
What happened today is good for Spanish golf, whoever wins. I hope it inspires some of the kids who have been watching here or, on TV, to want to try golf and experience moments like today for themselves.”
Rahm and Hidalgo put four shots between them and the field, with third place shared by six other players, including David Puig, Jens Fahrbring, Tommy Fleetwood, Joe Dean, Grant Forrest and Sean Crocker .
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