The battle for this yr’s Spanish Open got here all the way down to a home showdown on Sunday when Andalusia’s Angel Hidalgo held off three-time champion Jon Rahm, who was born within the Basque area, in play-off to win the historic title.
The pair had gone head-to-head in an all-Spanish last group with David Puig, with Rahm’s birdie-birdie end at Membership de Campo Villa de Madrid leaving them tied at 14 beneath par, after Hidalgo missed a three-foot putt to win in regular time.
It was the primary all-Spanish last group on the nationwide open since 2019, when Rahm gained comfortably forward of Rafa Cabrera Bello and Samuel Del Val.
It was nearer this time, proper from the off as Hidalgo’s two-shot in a single day benefit was worn out on the first gap – he missed a three-foot putt and made bogey whereas Rahm, additionally champion in 2018 and 2022, began with a birdie, as did Puig to lie one shot behind.
Because the lead modified arms between the trio all through the spherical, it was Rahm’s 19-foot putt for birdie on the seventeenth which reduce Hidalgo’s result in one and Rahm’s birdie the final, as Hidalgo’s putt stayed proper of the outlet to arrange a play-off.
Each gamers birdied the primary further gap, however after Rahm’s chip slipped previous the second time, Hidalgo holed a two-foot putt for victory to assert his maiden DP World Tour title.
FROM FAN TO FAN FAVOURITE
Hidalgo, 26, who performed on the Alps Tour in 2020-21, stated: “Three years in the past, I got here to this match as spectator to help Jon, so to be standing her now having simply gained the match is unreal!”
“I used to be fairly relaxed all day, even on the primary tee, I don’t know why. Even after I missed the brief putt on the first – and the one the outlet 72 – I used to be not discouraged.
This win is for everybody that who has all the time stored believing in me – my crew, my household, particularly my caddie, who can be my greatest pal.”
Puig completed in a big group at 10 beneath with Jens Fahrbring, Tommy Fleetwood, Joe Dean, Grant Forrest and Sean Crocker.
“I GAVE MYSELF A CHANCE TO WIN”
Rahm, who was making a uncommon sortie on the DP World Tour, having joined LIV Golf this season, stated: “Profitable a Spanish Open with all of the help that there was is one thing very particular. You could possibly inform how a lot Angel felt it and the way necessary it was for him. Might he study from these moments and revel in them.”
“It’s a pity to have misplaced within the play-off and never have been capable of do higher at the moment. I can’t say it has been a foul week. I gave myself an opportunity to win, which is what I needed. I gave it my all till the tip, and I’m happy with myself.
What occurred at the moment is sweet for Spanish golf, irrespective of who wins. Hopefully it’s going to encourage a number of the children who have been watching right here or, on TV, to need to attempt golf and to expertise moments like at the moment’s for themselves.”
Rahm and Hidalgo put 4 photographs between themseveles and the res of the sphere, with third place shared by six different gamers, together with David Puig, Jens Fahrbring, Tommy Fleetwood, Joe Dean, Grant Forrest and Sean Crocker.
