Callum Shinkwin paid tribute to caddy Sam Robertshawe after sealing his maiden European Tour win in the Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Open, beating Kalle Samooja in a play-off. Pictures by GETTY IMAGES

HERTFORDSHIRE’S Callum Shinkwin defeated Kalle Samooja in a play-off to win his first European Tour title after a dramatic final day at the 2020 Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Open.

Shinkwin holed an incredible 54-foot putt for eagle on the 18th in regulation to get into a play-off as the three gave him the clubhouse lead on 20-under.

After his maiden European Tour win at the 112th attempt, Shinkwin paid tribute to his caddy Sam Robertshawe, a former Hampshire Junior Champion.

The Army GC member, who went on to win on the EuroPro Tour after missing out in the Hampshire County Championship final back in 2012, has made Shinkwin a better greens reader, he told Sky Sports’ Warren Humphreys.

Callum explained: “I try not to change caddies at all, really, but changed caddies this year to try to help me on the greens more.

“I’ve done that with Sam. He’s a great green reader with his own method.

“I’ve trusted him and he’s basically taught me how to read greens better.

“This week I think I’ve called on him eight times and I’ve holed seven putts from there and obviously holed a lot more reading myself as well, which is obviously really good.”

Shinkwin salutes his play-off win with caddie Sam Robertshawe at Aphrodite Hills

Victory makes up for Rafa heartache

SHINKWIN’S victory heralds a return to form for the 27-year-old, who lost his card in 2018 after the heartache of coming so close to a Rolex Series victory at the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open.

He lost to Rafa Cabrera-Bello in a play-off when a par on the 72nd hole would have handed him the title.

In far happier scenes on TV, Shinkwin was able to see his wife and young son via a video link in an emotional reunion by the 18th green.

When asked what winning meant to him and his young family, Shinkwin said: “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, and now I have. It’s been a bit of a shock, but it feels great.

“I’ve had to trust myself more than anything. I had to make a few changes and obviously it’s worked out for the best,” said Callum who first earned his European Tour card after finishing in the top 15 on the Challenge Tour in 2015.

“Dug deep in 2019 and got my card back, and this year obviously with what has gone on,” he added. “I’m happy to win.

“I felt relaxed all day. I felt great to be fair – 15 and 16 were playing me up all week,” said Shinkwin, who beat Matt Fitzpatrick in the final when winning the English Amateur Championship at Frilford Heath, in 2013.

The new champion speaking to his young son after winning the Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Open

Shinkwin admits to nerves over closing holes

“I was more nervous playing those two holes just to get through them than in the play-off or on the 18th,” Shinkwin said. “I managed to get through them really well and I felt great.”

The pro attached to Moor Park GC was two shots behind the Finn as he stood on the 17th tee.

And while a birdie there edged him closer, his chances of victory looked slim when he found rough off the tee at the par five last.

His second shot over the water took him to the edge of the putting surface to set up his miraculous eagle to force a play-off with the Finn, after shooting a course record 63.

Samooja left himself an eagle chance from almost exactly the same spot.

But a two-putt birdie meant the European Tour’s first-ever visit to Cyprus ended in extra holes at Aphrodite Hills Resort.

Shinkwin found the greenside bunker with his second shot at the first trip back up the last, with the approach over the intimidating water skirting the length of the last hole at Cyprus’ PGA National course.

The boys from Bushey, who won the Carris Trophy in 2010 and played in the Walker Cup three years later, got up-and-down for a birdie, with Samooja’s three-putt from the fringe sealing Shinkwin’s first win.

Welshman Jamie Donaldson, South African Garrick Higgo and Scot Robert MacIntyre finished two shots out of the play-off places on 18-under.

The trio were one clear of Australian Jason Scrivener, Finn Sami Välimäki and Essex’s Dale Whitnell, who enjoyed his best finish since the Betfred British Masters at Close House, in July.

Kalle Samooja lines up his birdie putt on the 18th which forced the play-off with Shinkwin

•To see the final scores at Aphrodite Hills click here.

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Sergio Garcia salutes a birdie on his way to a five-share of the virtual BMW Indoor Invitational at his favourite Valderrama course. He earned $2,000 for Spain’s Red Cross.

HOME favourites Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrera Bello, finished in a five-way tie for first place when a virtual Valderrama hosted the latest leg of the BMW Indoor Invitational.

Masters winner Garcia and his compatriot and fellow Ryder Cup star Cabrera-Bello played in the interactive feature group.

They both finished on one-under after shooting 70s in their 18 holes.

Spain’s famous Ryder Cup venue proved a tricky test in the fourth of five events in the new series of virtual tournaments, using the latest simulator technology powered by TrackMan.

They were joined at the summit in Andalucia by Scotland’s Connor Syme.

The Dundee pro celebrated a second win in the series of virtual events – following his victory at Royal Portrush two weeks ago.

Royal Liverpool’s Matthew Jordan and Frenchman Damien Perrier also carded 70s to secure a share of the $10,000 first prize.

The money will go to charities chosen by each of the five winners.

Garcia famously triumphed three times in the flesh at the Sotogrande venue in the Andalucía Masters between 2011 and 2018.

The 2017 Masters winner opened his round with a triple bogey before recovering with three birdies in the next four holes.

He donated his share of the prize fund to Spain’s Red Cross.

Garcia recently donated to the Red Cross alongside fellow Spanish sports stars to help in the fight against the coronavirus.

Garcia donates his $2k to Red Cross

A DELIGHTED Garcia said: “I can’t think of a better cause than the Red Cross to donate to – to try to help as many people as possible in these very difficult times.

“It’s great to be a part of this and have the possibility to help people who need it most in uncertain times.

“I’m glad that I was able to play well enough to be part of the donation.

“I can’t wait to see all those people get better and hopefully get back to normal lives as soon as possible.

“We had a good time Rafa and I playing together. Unfortunately I had a terrible start with a triple on the first.

“But I came back nicely and Rafa eagled 17 to get to one-under. It was fun to do it.

“It was different. But it shows you how difficult Valderrama is even on TrackMan with pretty benign conditions, that one-under par was a tie for the lead.”

Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrera-Bello played in the featured group at the BMW Indoor Invitational at a virtual Valderrama. Picture EDAMVALDERRAMA / Instagram

Cabrera-Bello’s rollercoaster round

CABRERO-BELLA had a rollercoaster round that included four birdies and an eagle as well as three bogies and a double.

Rafa said: “It was different of course playing the course on TrackMan, but it did have a lot of similarities – and it did feel pretty real.

“On the green shapes you could see the run-offs and it was playing as real as it could possibly be.

“BMW does a lot of charitable work, not only during these hard times but also every year. They are a very generous company.

“So to be able to participate in this event for charity was really fun. Also to have the opportunity to win alongside friends and share it a little bit was great.”

Syme is celebrating for the second time in three weeks after topping the leaderboard at Royal Portrush.

He said: “It feels great to be a tied winner this week. Guys like Sergio and Rafa were involved. So to compete with them and be tied at the top was cool.

“Valderrama was as tough as it is in real life. On holes like the second – where you try to run it under the tree on the fairway – it is so realistic.

“My wedge game was good and that was the only reason that I managed to get the joint best score.

“It’s great to be a part of it and I can’t thank BMW and TrackMan enough for these opportunities.”

Perrier fizzing with win to follow second

THE 38-player field – which also included former World No. 1 Martin Kaymer and Belgian Ryder Cup star Nicolas Colsaerts – competed virtually from their own homes in the 18-hole strokeplay event.

Damien Perrier finished in second place in week one over the Old Course at St Andrews.

And he went one better this time, birdieing the last two holes to recover from a double-bogey on the 16^th and seal a tie for top spot.

He said: “After my second place at St Andrews, I’m very happy to be tied for the win this week alongside great names such as Sergio Garcia, who we all know loves this course.

“I remember the last time I played at Valderrama I was alongside Martin Kaymer.

“We almost didn’t see each other because I spent my whole round enjoying the shadow of the trees. This week I took my revenge and I’m proud of it!”

Virtual Valderrama proved just as tough as the real thing when 38 European Tour players played the BMW Indoor Invitatational. The $10,000 first prize was split five ways for charity

Links-lover Jordan just as at home at Valderrama

MATTHEW Jordan was participating for the second consecutive week and he leapt up the leaderboard after an 18^th place finish last week at Germany’s Munchen Eichenried.

Jordan recorded his first Euorpean Challenge Tour win last summer and earned his European Tour card by finishing ninth on the Race to Mallorca.

The 24-year-old Hoylake ace, who grew up playing links golf, said: “I’m delighted to get the win at Valderrama – it’s one of my favourite courses.

“It’s a bit tight and narrow so any of my friends watching this will be confused as to how I won.

“I would like to say a massive thank-you to BMW, the European Tour and TrackMan for putting this event on.

“Lockdown has been difficult for most of us, so just to have something to look forward to and compete in, has been great.”

The winning fivesome finished one shot ahead of a group of seven players who shot level-par 71s around the virtual Valderrama.

They included French trio Benjamin Hebert, Raphael Jacquelin and Romain Langasque. Kaymer, Italian Nino Bertasio and Cheshire’s Paul Waring were then a shot further back in a tie for 13^th place.

Fans were able to follow using #BMWTrackManInvitational as footage was shown on the European Tour’s social media channels – and at bmw.trackmaninvitational.com

Footage can also be seen on Twitter: @europeantour; Instagram: @europeantour and the European Tour’s YouTube channel.

COVID-19 EPIDEMIC FORCES POSTPONEMENT OF ANDALUCIA MASTERS

The post Plenty of drama at virtual Valderrama as five tie at top in BMW Indoor Invitational appeared first on Golf North.

Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrera-Bello are the feature group in the BMW Indoor Invitational played over a virtual Valderrama

GREEN Jacket winner Sergio Garcia and Rolex Series winner Rafa Cabrera-Bello will head the Spanish challenge when the BMW Indoor Invitational heads to Valderrama, on Saturday.

The fourth leg of the BMW Indoor Invitational – powered by TrackMan – sees another strong field of nearly 40 European Tour players.

The presence of Garcia and Cabrera-Bello is sure to swell interest in the virtual golf tournament.

Rafa was inspired to play in the Ryder Cup – having been a promising junior when Garcia made his debut for Europe at Brookline, in 1999, aged just 19.

The Spanish stars are this week’s interactive feature group as they tee it up virtually to make their debut in the BMW Indoor Invitational.

Forty-year-old Garcia, who claimed the Masters in a play-off with Justin Rose, in 2017, has fond memories of Valderrama.

The Sergio Garcia Foundation hosted the European Tour’s Andalucia Masters there in 2018, which he won.

Garcia said: “I love Valderrama. Everyone knows it and I have always said it is my favourite golf course.

“I have been fortunate to do very well there. It is my idea of a golf course, not particularly long – but narrow, dog-legs, trees, small greens.

“And it is target golf. That is what I love about Valderrama and one of the reasons it suits my game so well.

“It is something I am really excited about. Obviously, it is something I have done before playing courses with TrackMan.

“But I have not competed on a worldwide stage like this. So I am excited to see how it goes.

“Personally, the time off from golf has been great. We had the birth of our son, our second child Enzo. It has been nice to spend time with my wife Angela and the kids in these very difficult times.

“Here in Texas has been pretty good. I have been able to practise a little bit here and there – which has been nice.

“But it has been hard. It has been really tough in Spain. My family are there, and fortunately have been able to stay home the most part. But it has been quite scary for a while.”

Sergio Garcia claimed his third Andalucia Masters at Valderrama in 2018.
Picture by REAL CLUB VALDERRAMA

Garcia has three Valderrama wins

GARCIA’S victory in the 2018 Estrella Damm NA Andalucía Masters at Valderrama saw him become the first man since Colin Montgomerie to win the same tournament three times in a row in Europe.

Montgomerie won the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth from 1998 to 2000.

Cabrera-Bello also cannot wait to join in the interactive fun.

The European Tour announced on Thursday it would resume real live tournaments from July 22, when Lee Westwood hosts the Betfred British Masters at Close House, near Newcastle.

Cabrera Bello, who won the Scottish Open in 2017 for his maiden Rolex Series win, said: “In the last week or so I have picked it up a bit, practising more seriously now – trying to get ready for when we start back.

“Valderrama is a great course. I love it and I always enjoy playing there. It is a really tough challenge.”

Former World No. 1 Martin Kaymer is again in action, while Belgian Ryder Cup star Thomas Pieters makes his debut alongside countryman Nicolas Colsaerts – one of the heroes of Medinah in 2012.

The famous 17th hole at Valderrama… will it be crucial when Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrero-Bello star in the featured group in the BMW Indoor Invitational on Saturday?

Valderrama drama for ’97 Ryder Cup

WORLD-renowned Valderrama, hosted the 1997 Ryder Cup.

Spanish legend Seve Ballesteros lead Europe to the first victory over the USA, when the biennial tournament was held on the Continent for the first time in its long history.

It has also hosted a number of prestigious events including the Andalucía Masters, Open de España and the WGC-American Express Championship in 1999 and 2000.

Tournament footage will once again be shown at bmw.trackmaninvitational.com

Fans can also follow Garcia and Cabrera-Bello, and the other 36 players, using #BMWTrackManInvitational on social media.

The winner will receive $10,000 to benefit a Coronavirus charity or relief fund of his choice.

Joost Luiten (St Andrews), Connor Syme (Royal Portrush) and Wil Besseling (München Eichenried) won the first three events.

Footage of the BMW Indoor Invitational will be shown from 11am BST on the European Tour’s social media channels.

Go to Twitter: @europeantour
Instagram: @europeantour
The European Tour’s YouTube channel and atbmw.trackmaninvitational.com

• After Valderrama the final event will be held playing the Wentworth Club, on Saturday, June 6.

The post Garcia and Cabrera-Bello make ‘Valderrama debut’ in BMW Indoor Invitational appeared first on Golf North.

Italy’s Francesco Laporta – last year’s European Challenge Tour No. 1 – shot a superb 63 with five birdies in a row to finish to jump up 49 places on the leaderboard after the second round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

FRANCESCO Laporta birdied his last five holes in a stunning nine-under par round of 63 to leap to the top of the leaderboard at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

The Italian secured his playing rights after topping the European Challenge Tour’s Road to Mallorca Rankings in 2019.

And he displayed the form that saw him win twice in three weeks last season as he went bogey-free to get to 10 under par after the second round of the first Rolex Series event in the 2020 Race to Dubai.

Laporta seems to have taken inspiration from fellow countryman Francesco Molinari’s achievements.

Since his victory in The Open, in 2018, and helped Europe inflict the heaviest ever Ryder Cup defeat on the USA in Paris three months later, Laporta has joined the winners circle in 2019.

Meanwhile Guido Migliozzi has picked up two wins on the European Tour last season and Andrea Pavan won twice since Molinari’s Major breakthrough to add to the growing Italian success on the Continent.

Laporta would clearly love to join Migliozzi, Pavan and the Molinari brothers as winners on the European Tour.

“I played solid all 18 holes,” said Laporta. “My putting was solid, my driver, my irons.

“I gave myself a lot of opportunity for birdies, and so when I had the opportunities, I took it. Every time I was putting for birdie, I made it. It was a great day.

“I’m feeling good. On the Challenge Tour I got more opportunity to play, so that was good.

“I didn’t start the season good. I missed the cut in South Africa two times, and this is the third event and I’m leading, so I just want to enjoy the weekend.”

Yorkshire’s former US Amateur Champion Matt Fitzpatrick had set the target at nine-under – without dropping a shot in his last 36 holes.

And it looked as if the five-time European Tour winner would be the man to beat, before Spain’s Rolex Series winner Rafa Cabrera-Bello made four birdies on the back nine to join him.

But Laporta went one better, recording the lowest round of the week – and his lowest of the season so far after missed cuts in his opening two events – to overtake the Ryder Cup team-mates.

Fitzpatrick, who had four runner ups finishes in 2019 is still looking for his first win since teaming up with caddy Billy Foster, long-term caddy of Lee Westwood, earlier last season.

Fitzpatrick, whose last win came at the Omega European Masters in 2018, said: “For the first week of the year to have no bogeys, I couldn’t ask for a better start.

“Just played really disciplined golf and it’s worked out well so far.

“I took it easy as soon as I finished in Dubai, slowly started to build it up and then two weeks ago really into it and got ready for the start of the year.

“But when we went to play nine holes on Tuesday, I felt a little bit uncomfortable.

It all felt sort of new again after seven weeks off, and then as the round went on, I got into it again.

“For me every event is the same. You’re here to win. It’s always a nice bonus, playing for more money and more Ryder Cup points, but you’ve got to go in with the same attitude.”

Cabrera-Bello was also pleased with his form as he looks to add a second Rolex Series title to his CV after winning the Scottish Open three years ago.

Rafa said: “Very pleased obviously for posting another very good score. My game got better throughout the day, and I played good golf.

“I made some really, really good putts that gave me great momentum, but then I also hit some good shots that gave myself opportunities.

“I’ve been doing things good and I’m having that little bit of luck that you always need, added Cabrera Bello, who has a win in the United Arab Emirates after victoy in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic in 2012.

“I’ve pretty much done what I do every off-season. I had some time off, I enjoyed it and took my mind off golf.

“And then I practiced hard at the beginning of the year and preparing myself for these weeks. It hasn’t been anything particularly different than other years.

“I played better on the back nine, primarily because those two huge putts made the biggest difference, but I mean, we’ve played here before.

“We know almost every kind of wind that can happen here, and we want it to be calm.

“But we kind of know that in the afternoons, the wind tends to pick up, and we just have to feel lucky that on the front nine, it wasn’t so windy.

Koepka struggles after fast start in 1st round

MAJOR winner Sergio Garcia and Italy’s Renato Paratore are two shots off the lead at eight-under.

World No. 6 Patrick Cantlay – fellow American Kurt Kitayama– Spaniard Adri Arnaus, 2010 Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen and former World No. 1 Lee Westwood are next at seven-under.

World No. 1 Brooks Koepka, who was two shots off the lead after a fine 66 on Thursday, fared less well on his return to competitive golf after his knee problems in 2019.

The four-time Major winner made a birdie, birdie start before dropping three shots in three holes, after a double bogey at the fifth.

A two at the seventh was cancelled out by a bogey at the eighth and another double at the 11th after he picked up his fourth birdie at the 10th, was compoounded by a bogey six at the last.

That saw the Florida ace slide down the leaderboard to 33rd place after a three-over par 75.

That left last year’s USPGA Champion on three-under, alongside tournament co-favourite Tommy Fleetwood, who added a 70 to his opening 71.

•To follow Francesco Laporta and the rest of the live scores in Saturday’s third round click here.

The post How Italian Job by Francesco Laporta drove him to the top of Abu Dhabi leaderboard appeared first on Golf North.

Jon Rahm’s successful defence of the Spanish Open title made him the quickest Iberian player to win five titles on the European Tour. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

JON Rahm successfully defended a title for the first time in his career as he stormed to a five-stroke victory at the Mutuactivos Open de España – as Rafa Cabrera-Bello and Samuel Del Val made it a Spanish one-two-three.

The 24-year-old secured his fifth European Tour title in just his 39^th start, becoming the fastest Spaniard to reach five victories – surpassing the late, great Seve Ballesteros, who reached that milestone on his 49^th appearance.

Rahm said: “I started getting comfortable around 13, after that the only tough tee shot for me was 14 because I have to hit a draw, and I’m not the best drawer of the ball with the driver.

“That was the only one I wanted to skip – but I almost made an eagle. After that I was trying to enjoy the walk.

“I’m not happy I three-putted 17, I wanted to go bogey free. At the end of the day, I did the important thing.

“I was able to successfully defend it and in front of a home crowd as well, it’s always hard for me to keep things under control – to play this weekend for them is always really fun.

“I can’t wait to come back next year and hopefully we’ll make it three times.

“The crowd was unlike anything else. Spanish crowds love golf and they love us coming back,” the former Arizona State University golfer, who also reached No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings before turning pro, in 2016.

“Any time you get an event with two of the best players from Spain together alongside Adri and Samuel, he’s having a good year too, they enjoy it so much, said Rahm.

“I played with him (Arnaus) in Valderrama, they’re enjoying it too. We had a lot of fun, every putt, every shot.

“It’s hard to believe how many people come out here. I play a lot of tournaments throughout the year that don’t get this much attendance.

“So it shows how much Spain wants golf – how much they want more events and how much they enjoy it.

“It’s great for the game of golf, it’s great for Spain and hopefully it can only get bigger.”

Rahm started the final round at Madrid’s Club de Campo Villa, in the Spanish capital with a five-stroke lead and quickly extended his advantage to seven strokes after an eagle on the par five fourth hole and two further gains before the turn.

He signed for a tournament record-equalling 22-under par total after birdies on the 10th and 14^th holes, finishing five strokes ahead of Rafa Cabrera-Bello, who recorded his best result in his national open after birdieing five of his last six holes for a five-under 66.

Rahm moves to the top of the Race to Dubai rankings after his second victory of the 2019 season, adding to his Dubai Duty Free Irish Open title.

Rafa Cabrera-Bello, who was looking for his first win since the 2017 Scottish Open – and his first Spanish Open – said: “I would have liked to get some birdies early to put some pressure on Jon, but that didn’t happen.

“I had to hang in there, fight for the second spot and I was very pleased that the birdies came at the end.

“He already had a big lead from the start. You could see that cut in half after three or four holes and it changes your perspective – but that didn’t happen, it went the other way.

“Once he eagled four, seven shots was a commanding lead. It was his tournament to lose and he played great,” added Cabrera-Bello, who had hoped to get a captain’s pick for last year’s Ryder Cup in Paris, where he could have been possibly paired with Rahm, or Sergio Garcia, after making his debut in 2016, in the defeat by the USA, at Hazeltine.

“All I could do was focus on my ball, try to finish second and I managed to do that,” said Rafa.

Samuel Del Val rounded-out an all-Spanish top three as he signed for a 68 to get to 15-under.

Del Val, who has been globe-trotting in his bid to earn full playing rights on a major tour, including Canada and Latin America, said: “It’s been incredible. I felt like I played much better today than yesterday.

“I was just trying to play my game. He had a five-shot lead, I know I wasn’t capable of getting him. I wasn’t focused on anyone else.

“At the end the race was for second place between Rafa and me, and he played great with five birdies on his last six holes. I’m really happy with the performance.”

“The score was one shot better but yesterday I was hanging on for dear life.

“It was a bit like a chess game, finding the right angles and the right spots. I’m really happy with a three-under.

His compatriot Adri Arnaus continued his fine rookie year on the European Tour as he finished in a share of fourth place with Danes Joachim B Hansen and Jeff Winther.

Sergio Garcia was the fifth Spaniard inside the top five after his round of 66, sharing seventh with four others.

Final scores:
262 J Rahm (Esp) 66 67 63 66,
267 R Cabrera Bello (Esp) 66 65 70 66,
269 S Del Val (Esp) 67 65 69 68,
271 J Winther (Den) 70 69 69 63, J Hansen (Den) 69 69 67 66, A Arnaus (Esp) 65 66 72 68,
272 M Kawamura (Jpn) 70 67 68 67, J Scrivener (Aus) 67 68 68 69, J Harding (RSA) 69 72 64 67, S Garcia (Esp) 69 69 69 65, Z Lombard (RSA) 67 67 69 69,
273 J Dantorp (Swe) 67 70 65 71, A Pavan (Ita) 66 75 67 65, F Zanotti (Par) 71 69 65 68,
274 J Morrison (Eng) 70 70 69 65, A Levy (Fra) 70 69 67 68,
275 A Cañizares (Esp) 72 69 68 66, C Hill (Sco) 69 72 65 69, N McCarthy (Eng) 70 68 71 66, N Colsaerts (Bel) 67 73 71 64, R Fisher (Eng) 69 68 70 68, M Korhonen (Fin) 70 65 72 68,
276 J Singh Brar (Eng) 68 69 70 69, E Molinari (Ita) 69 69 69 69, D Papadatos (Aus) 70 71 65 70, J Donaldson (Wal) 66 71 69 70, Y Miyazato (Jpn) 70 70 69 67, N Bertasio (Ita) 69 67 71 69, T Aiken (RSA) 72 68 70 66,
277 A Wu (Chn) 68 71 70 68, B Rumford (Aus) 70 71 66 70, C Hanson (Eng) 68 74 66 69,
278 P Larrazábal (Esp) 70 69 70 69, P Figueiredo (Por) 71 68 70 69, M Jiménez (Esp) 68 73 70 67, R Karlberg (Swe) 70 68 68 72,
279 S Brown (Eng) 68 68 70 73, S Kim (USA) 67 74 67 71, E De La Riva (Esp) 68 73 70 68, B Evans (Eng) 71 68 73 67, N Elvira (Esp) 73 66 70 70, D Burmester (RSA) 66 71 72 70, P Langfors (Swe) 68 68 72 71, L Slattery (Eng) 69 73 67 70,
280 J Veerman (USA) 71 71 69 69, D Horsey (Eng) 71 70 68 71, R Lumsden (Sco) 70 70 71 69, A Romero (Arg) 76 66 69 69,
281 M Kieffer (Ger) 72 70 65 74, J McLeod (Aus) 68 70 75 68,
282 A Garcia-Heredia (Esp) 70 69 73 70, D Lipsky (USA) 68 73 70 71, B Ritthammer (Ger) 70 69 73 70, K Johannessen (Nor) 63 73 76 70,
283 S Chawrasia (Ind) 70 71 73 69, J Girrbach (Sui) 73 67 68 75, C Sordet (Fra) 74 68 67 74, J Suri (USA) 72 70 70 71, B Virto (Esp) 70 69 73 71, D Lawson (Aus) 68 71 72 72,
284 A Otaegui (Esp) 67 69 73 75, G Forrest (Sco) 73 69 71 71,
285 A Karlsson (Swe) 70 71 73 71, M Siem (Ger) 66 69 76 74, J Catlin (USA) 71 71 69 74, D Drysdale (Sco) 69 72 75 69,
286 M Nixon (Eng) 67 75 70 74,
290 J Walters (RSA) 69 72 74 75,
MISSED CUT: 143 R Jacquelin (Fra) 70 73, G Bourdy (Fra) 72 71, I Cantero Gutierrez (Esp) 71 72, D Berna Manzanares (Esp) 71 72, L Gagli (Ita) 72 71, M Orrin (Eng) 70 73, L Jensen (Den) 71 72, M Manassero (Ita) 68 75, D Gavins (Eng) 71 72, M Fraser (Aus) 73 70, H Li (Chn) 74 69, A Quiros (Esp) 72 71, S Fernandez (Esp) 73 70,
144 N Lemke (Swe) 68 76, D Cooke (USA) 70 74, F Bergamaschi (Ita) 71 73, K Koivu (Fin) 72 72, A Hortal (Esp) 71 73, J Choi (Kor) 72 72, J Colomo (Esp) 69 75, N Tinning (Den) 72 72, S Crocker (USA) 76 68, M Schmitt (Ger) 72 72 , J Wang (Kor) 70 74, A Björk (Swe) 71 73,
145 J Pastor (Esp) 74 71, G Bhullar (Ind) 67 78, N Cullen (Aus) 71 74, H Leon (Chi) 72 73, M Galiano Aguilar (Esp) 69 76, E Cuartero Blanco (Esp) 72 73, P Oriol (Esp) 70 75,
146 G Moynihan (Irl) 74 72, T Jaidee (Tha) 73 73, K Reitan (Nor) 74 72, N Højgaard (Den) 71 75, J Adarraga Gomez (Esp) 70 76, T Murray (Eng) 70 76, O Wilson (Eng) 74 72, E Kofstad (Nor) 76 70,
147 R Gouveia (Por) 70 77, D Howell (Eng) 75 72, A Connelly (Can) 76 71, A Saddier (Fra) 73 74, A Del Rey(am) (Esp) 74 73, K Kouwenaar (am) (Ned) 73 74,
148 J Campillo (Esp) 76 72, P Dunne (Irl) 75 73, R McGowan (Eng) 73 75, R Paratore (Ita) 71 77, W Ormsby (Aus) 76 72, M Hoey (Nir) 73 75, L Johnston (Sco) 73 75,
149 J Olazábal (Esp) 73 76, J Salama (Esp) 71 78, C Saxon (USA) 75 74, S Manley (Wal) 76 73, M Warren (Sco) 74 75, D Borda (Esp) 73 76,
150 M Campbell (Nzl) 79 71, G Fdez-Castaño (Esp) 76 74,
151 R Wattel (Fra) 76 75, J Kruyswijk (RSA) 75 76,
152 J Abbott (Eng) 79 73, C Del Moral (Esp) 77 75,
154 V Pastor (am) (Esp) 76 78,
155 A Velasco (Esp) 78 77,
** S Gregory (Eng) 71 DQ, L De Jager (RSA) 72 RT, N Geyger (Chi) DQ

The post Rahm defends Spanish Open title with runaway win over Cabrera-Bello and Del Val appeared first on Golf North.

Rookie Adri Arnaus led a group of five Spaniards at the top end of the leaderboard in the Spanish Open. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

ADRI Arnaus leads the home charge at the Mutuactivos Open de España, but sits two strokes behind Norway’s Kristian Krogh-Johannessen, who carded an eight under par 63 to lead at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid.

Johannessen, who started the day on the 10th tee, made the turn in four-under after three birdies and an eagle, dropping his only shot of the day at the par four 16^th hole.

The Norwegian, who seems to have been inspired by fellow countryman Viktor Hovland’s start to his PGA Tour career in the States, made four more gains on the front nine.

That included a birdie at the ninth as he posted eight-under, which was not beaten by the afternoon starters.

Krogh-Johannessen: “I’m out there having fun and playing smart. It’s a tricky course, but I’ve got a friend on the bag this week and we’re having fun out there.

“It was a good round. I didn’t hit it perfectly, but hit it in the right spots, even when I missed and I holed some good putts.

The 24-year-old, who turned pro in 2015, added: “I just need to keep calm, play my own game and not get stressed out there.

“It’s a bit tricky, so if you get stressed you start easily making mistakes. I just need to keep cool and play my own game.”

Arnaus is one of five home hopefuls inside the top 10 in the Spanish capital, carding a six-under 65 to take solo second.

He made the turn in six-under after four birdies and an eagle on his front nine, and finished his round with a birdie on the ninth to cancel out a bogey on the fourth.

Arnaus said: “It was such a fun round out there with the crowds following. I was really happy with how I played out there, especially the front nine – that was a lot of fun. I was happy to finish with a birdie on the ninth.

“I was six under through nine and finished birdie-birdie-birdie on my last holes on my front nine.

“That was amazing. I kept it going, but some of my putts on my back nine didn’t want to drop, but it finally dropped on the last, so I was really happy.”

The 24-year-old, who graduated from the European Challenge Tour last season, is making just his second appearance in his national Open.

Arnaus has enjoyed a fine rookie year on the European Tour, with three runner-up finishes in 2019 as he seeks his maiden victory – winning his natioanal Open in Madrid would cap a dream start to the rookie’s career.

Defending champion and World No. 5 Jon Rahm shares third place with compatriot Rafa Cabrera-Bello and four other golfers on five-under.

Rahm, who knew last year’s host course extremely well from his high school days, said: “It’s a tough golf course, you need to drive it well – and I did.

“The greens were perfect, they are the best greens I’ve putted on in Spain in my career as an amateur and as a pro.

“Me, Rafa and Adri played really well, especially on that front nine Adri got it going really well and me and Rafa were trying to catch up.

“My biggest challenge early on, and the reason I missed so many putts, is because I was trying to get the pace of the greens. They were so fast.

“I was getting used to the speed and the changes from last week to this week. Yesterday I did struggle with ball-striking, but I fixed it and stayed committed to the changes I made.”

“We all got it going and once we made the turn, everyone was there. Every time you’re hitting shots, even if you’re missing, you’re getting a lot of words of encouragement.”

Cabrera-Bello was also pleased with his start, saying: “I’m very pleased. It was a bogey free round, but it didn’t feel like it.

“There were a few occasions where I got into trouble and managed to save myself. I controlled my game the entire day, gave myself some chances and putted well. It was a good day and I knew I could post a good score.”

A further shot back is Spanish pair Samuel Del Val and Adrian Otaegui, who carded four-under 67s, sharing ninth with seven others.

•For live scores in round two click here.

The post Arnaus gets nose in front of Rahm and Cabrera-Bello in race to win Spanish Open appeared first on Golf North.

Spanish Open winner Jon Rahm wants to break Seve Ballesteros’ record as the youngest player to win five times on the European Tour. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

JON Rahm feels calm ahead of his Mutuactivos Open de España title defence, believing the burden of pressure is no longer there after winning his national Open at the first attempt last year.

The 24-year-old arrives at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid in strong form, having recorded seven top-ten finishes in his last 10 events, including a runner-up result at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth just two weeks ago.

After securing his fourth European Tour title at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in July, his third Rolex Series victory, the World No. 5 now has his sights set on reaching the milestone of five victories faster than the late, great Seve Ballesteros.

Rahm said: “I hope I can get to five before Seve did. I would love to do that. Those records are always nice. That’s something I have in mind when I’m playing.

“There are some weeks when I really want to win – I’d love to be a multiple winner of the Open de España and I’d love this to be the first time I successfully defend a title. So, I hope that happens.

“There won’t be more pressure than last year. It was the first time I had played the event – I was fourth in the world and I had just played well at Augusta.

“It was a golf course I played in high school. This time I don’t know the golf course.

“I am defending champion and the highest-ranked player, but the fact it’s a golf course I’ve not played much is a big difference. Hopefully I can just focus on playing good golf and be in the mix on Sunday.

“I wish I would have been able to enjoy last year’s win a little more. When I went down 18, I didn’t know Nacho Elvira had hit it in the water and made a double.

“I wished I’d have known that because that would have made a big difference with how I approached it.

“There was a chance of him holing out with his second shot – but I would have enjoyed it a little more. It was still a great week.

“Walking down to that green was a great feeling – 50,000 fans showed up to an event that was planned and advertised late.

“I was really proud of my country and proud of myself to be able to come and win. It’s a huge honour to represent Spain and Spanish golf.

“We all try and follow Seve’s steps and to win that event was unique and very special.”

Ballesteros won his fifth title at the 1978 Martini International in what was his 49th start, while Rahm is making his 39^th European Tour appearance this week.

Rahm is one of 32 Spanish golfers teeing it up on home soil this week, including Ryder Cup stalwarts Sergio Garcio, Miguel Angel Jiménez and José María Olazábal.

He will begin the tournament in the company of three-time European Tour winner and 2016 Ryder Cup player Rafa Cabrera Bello and rising star Adri Arnaus, who is currently 34^th on the Race to Dubai Rankings in his rookie season after graduating from the European Challenge Tour last year.

Arnaus, who has two runner-up finishes in his first season on the European Tour, said: “Everyone is wishing all the Spanish players to have a great week, there’s a lot of people I know from growing up who I’m meeting here.

“It’s one where every Spaniard wants to win the trophy, so it makes it that more special.

“You always get butterflies when you’re on the first tee, especially at the thought of playing with Jon and Rafa in front of all of those people who will be following us.

“But I’m used to that now; hopefully I can go out there and enjoy the experience. I see it as a privilege,” added Arnaus, who finished second in the Andalucia Masters, hosted by Sergio Garcia, at Valderrama in June.

For live scoring follow the Spanish Open on the new-look European Tour website by clicking here.

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