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.

Martin Kaymer, Lee Westwood and Bernd Wiesberger have entered the BMW Indoor Invitational which will feature five top European Tour courses over the next five weeks. Pictures by GETTY IMAGES

MARTIN Kaymer and Lee Westwood will go head-to-head from their own homes as the European Tour switches formats for the new BMW Indoor Invitational.

The eSport special is a series of virtual golf tournaments using the latest simulator technology powered by TrackMan that will run over the summer featuring courses including St Andrews, Royal Portrush, Valderrama and the European Tour’s Wentworth HQ, in Surrey.

With regular tournament action currently suspended due to the ongoing global fight against the spread of coronavirus, many leading professionals have been turning to solutions at home to try and keep their game in shape.

Thanks to the latest TrackMan software and simulators, they have been able to keep their golf brain sharp.

So as well as Ryder Cup stars Kaymer and Westwood, Joost Luiten, Mike Lorenzo-Vera, Bernd Wiesberger will start off the BMW challenge.

Players will compete remotely using their home set-up between Monday and Wednesday.

The action will then be shown on the European Tour’s social media channels each Saturday for the next five weeks:

The BMW Indoor Invitational will enable them to compete against each other, with golf fans able to watch all the action – using #BMWTrackManInvitational – on Youtube, Instagram and Twitter.

Tournament footage will also be available via https://bmw.trackmaninvitational.com

Martin Kaymer playing on a simulator using Trackman technology which will be used in the new European Tour online tournament which will run throughout May and early June

The new series will consist of five one-round strokeplay tournaments played virtually on some of Europe’s most iconic golf courses.

Winner will receive £10k for charity

Each tournament winner will receive $10,000 towards their chosen charity or relief fund which has been helping communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Saturday May 9 – St Andrews, Old Course
Saturday May 16 – Royal Portrush
Saturday May 23 – Golfclub München Eichenried
Saturday May 30 – Valderrama
Saturday June 6 – Wentworth

Rufus Hack, the European Tour’s chief content officer, said: “While the absolute priority for all of us has been, and continues to be, public health and well-being, we also recognise that golf fans are missing watching the leading players compete.

Hopefully, the BMW Indoor Invitational – powered by TrackMan – can help fill the void and provide our fans with some entertainment across the next five weeks while also benefitting charities, or relief funds, which have been so essential in the battle against coronavirus.”

Jörn Plinke, head of BMW Golfsport marketing, said: “In a time when pro golf tours around the world are being forced to take a break, we are able to offer golf fans – as well as the pros themselves – a unique competition in the form of the BMW Indoor Invitational.

“We are looking forward to the coming weeks, an innovative format, and some exciting digital content.

“BMW enjoys long-term partnerships with TrackMan and the European Tour and shares the aspiration to also drive golf further with a digital format.

“Together, we have managed to create a new type of competition, which features a host of top players and, with the prize money on offer, supports local coronavirus initiatives.”

Trackman co-founder Klaus Eldrup-Jørgensen said: “BMW, the European Tour and TrackMan teaming up like this is a great example of how the sport can come together and rise above the difficulties of the current situation.

“With TrackMan Virtual Golf, we’re able to play tournaments on iconic, internationally recognised courses that will push the players to their limits.

“The tournament will be extremely challenging but also great fun. We’re all really looking forward to it.”

EUROPEAN TOUR LAUNCHES ESPORTS SERIES – THE EUROPEAN ETOUR

The post BMW Indoor Invitational to see Westwood and Kaymer tackle top courses online appeared first on Golf North.

The famous par five 17th hole at Valderrama – the 2020 Andalucia Masters has been postponed because of the ongoing threat from the coronavirus pandemic

THE European Tour has cancelled the Estrella Damm N A Andalucia Masters, which was due to take place at Valderrama, at the end of April, because of the threat caused by the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

The decision was made in light of the travel restrictions in force in Spain.

And it came after consultation with parties associated with the tournament which was going to be hosted by the Sergio Foundation.

They included the regional government in Andalucía, Real Club Valderrama, the Sergio Garcia Foundation and title sponsor Estrella Damm.

Discussions are ongoing with all parties looking into the possibility of rescheduling the tournament at a later date.

Valderrama chief executive Javier Reviriego said: “We are deeply concerned by the current developments related to coronavirus and we believe postponing the event is the best decision.

“We will work jointly with the European Tour and our sponsors to find a new date in the calendar to host this fantastic golf tournament.

“All of us at Valderrama look forward to hosting players and fans when we put this exceptional situation behind us.”

European Tour chief excutive Keith Pelley said: “We are all taking a day-by-day approach at the moment and we continue to assess the impact of coronavirus on all our events.

“But following discussions with all parties involved, it was clear that postponing the Estrella Damm N A Andalucia Masters at this point is the correct course of action.

“Public health and well-being remains the absolute priority for all of us.”

In brings the number of Eurpoean Tournaments that have been cancelled to five – lasting from March until the beginning of May.

On top of that, the Masters – the first Major of the year – at Augusta has been postponed for the first time since 1946, while the second World Golf Championship event of 2020 – the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play, which was due to return to Austin Country Club, in Texas (March 25-29), has also been cancelled.

The European Tour has said it is still looking to rearrange as many of its cancelled events as possible – December’s Hong Kong Open which was postponed because of the civil unrest in the former British colony – had to go ahead as an Asian Tour-only sanctioned event, in February.

The Magical Kenyan Open and Hero Indian Open were cancelled after governments in the host countries imposed travel restrictions while the Maybank Championship, in Malaysia, and the Volvo China Open, were called off in the early stages as the COVID-19 virus spread initially through parts of Asia.

•You can see the full European Tour schedule by clicking here.

The post Andalucia Masters at Valderrama is put back as coronavirus claims event appeared first on Golf North.

Thomas Bjørn, who captained Europe to victory in the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Paris Golf National, returns to Valderrama in May – where he made his debut against the USA, in 1997. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

RYDER Cup heroes Thomas Bjørn and Lee Westwood will return to the venue where they made their Ryder Cup debuts against the United States in 1997 when the European Tour returns to Spain in May.

The Ryder Cup winners have confirmed they will tee it up in the Estrella Damm NA Andalucía Masters – hosted by the Sergio Garcia Foundation – being held on the Costa del Sol, from April 30-May 3.

The pair made their Ryder Cup bows in the biennial contest between Europe and the United States, at Real Club Valderrama, 23 years ago when the hosts – captained by the late, great Seve Ballesteros – retained the coveted trophy with a 14½-13½ victory.

They contributed 3½ points to the European cause, as Westwood earned two points alongside Nick Faldo in foursomes and fourball matches, while Bjørn earned a half in the Sunday singles against Justin Leonard.

That added to the point he won with Ian Woosnam against Leonard and Brad Faxon.

Westwood is bidding for a European record-equalling 11th Ryder Cup appearance at Whistling Straits later this year.

The 46-year-old is just outside the qualification spots for Padraig Harrington’s side.

But Westwood, who is now based in the North East and will host the Betfred British Masters at Close House in late July, is currently second on the Race to Dubai Rankings after his victory at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, in January.

“There isn’t much you can say about Valderrama that hasn’t already been said,” said Westwood.

“It’s a fantastic golf course, and 1997 was very special because I made my Ryder Cup debut there and then won the Volvo Masters a few weeks later.

“It is an incredible test of golf, and it’s testament to Robert Trent Jones’ design that it has remained unchanged over the last 30 years.

“It’s a course that we all enjoy playing, and credit goes to Sergio Garcia and his foundation for helping to develop this tournament over the last four years.”

His close friend Bjørn is also looking forward to returning to the venue where his Ryder Cup journey began, culminating in his victorious captaincy two years ago at Le Golf National, Paris.

“Valderrama is an excellent golf course, and a test which we all enjoy returning to,” said the 15-time European Tour winner, who celebrated his 49th birthday earlier this month.

“To make my Ryder Cup debut in a side captained by Seve, in his home country, and at a world-class venue, was incredibly special.”

Lee Westwood, who is bidding to appear in his 12th Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, in September, was also in Seve Ballesteros’ side that beat the USA at Valderrama 23 years ago. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

Bjørn captained Europe to a record Ryder Cup triumph in Paris, in 2018, to give Harrington the chance to defend the famous trophy in Wisconsin, in September.

Westwood, who hails from Worksop, in Nottinghamshire, and Bjørn will join a host of other European Tour stars at Valderrama, as the Estrella Damm NA Andalucía Masters returns to the famed Spanish venue in April.

Tickets are available, starting from €7 juniors and €15 for adults. Season tickets are available for the full week (€30 for juniors and €75 for adults), as well as weekend-only tickets (€15 and €40).

Click here to purchase tickets.

The post Lee Westwood and Thomas Bjørn return to Valderrama for the Andalucia Masters 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.

The post Rahm ready to defend his Spanish Open title and aims for Seve’s five-wins record appeared first on Golf North.

South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout who was seriously ill as a child after drining rat poison has battled adversity throughout his career… but victory at Valderrama earns him a spot in The Open at Royal Portrush in two weeks’. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

CHRISTIAAN Bezuidenhout won his first European Tour title in emphatic style with a six-shot victory at the Estrella Damm NA Andalucía Masters.

The South African came into the final day at Real Club Valderrama with a five-shot lead and while he saw that trimmed to three at one point, a closing 71 saw him finish at 10-under par, to become only the third different player to lift the trophy after Graeme McDowell (2010), and tournament host Sergio Garcia (2011, 2017, 2018).

The victory also secures Bezuidenhout a Major championship debut at The Open in two weeks’, alongside Frenchman Mike Lorenzo-Vera and local favourite Adri Arnaus.

Bezuidenhout said: “I was relieved, it was a long day. I went through a struggle in the middle of the round, three bogeys in a row. I thought, I can’t let it slip.

“My caddie kept me in the moment nicely and the par save on the eighth hole was crucial. It just got the momentum going that I had lost a bit.

“To bounce back with three birdies in a row after that was nice and it settled the nerves a bit. To come out with a win today is special.

“My family have kept me humble throughout my career, they’ve supported me and thanks to them. I’m here because of them, it’s so special.

“It’s been a dream since I started playing golf to play in a Major championship, and to play The Open, which is my favourite Major, just makes it even more special.”

Bezuidenhout’s victory completes a remarkable rise for a player who has had to overcome adversity since a young age. At the age of two he mistakenly drank rat poison, an incident that led to him developing a stammer that caused him to suffer anxiety.

The beta blockers he took to combat his stammer led to him failing a doping test at the 2014 Amateur Championship and while his two-year ban was reduced to nine months after officials adjudged he had not been seeking to gain a competitive advantage, he missed out on representing his country at the Eisenhower Trophy.

Now five years on from those dark days, he is a European Tour winner in his 57th appearance and moves into the top 10 of the Race to Dubai rankings after two other top three finishes this season.

Spaniards Eduardo de la Riva, Alvaro Quiros and Jon Rahm finished alongside Arnaus and Lorenzo-Vera at four-under in a five-way tie for second place.

Arnaus said” “It was an honour to play two days in a row with Sergio in such as iconic place as Valderrama. Yesterday I started a bit nervous, but I calmed down after four holes and I started to enjoy it, and we got along so well.

“Today was more like being on my own, and I was able to do it on that back nine, so I’m really pleased.

“I was trying to put a score out there as low as I could, but I saw that he’s playing so well it would be tough to put a little pressure on him, so I just tried to focus on me.

“All week the place in The Open is what I came here for.  It’s just an incredible feeling to come out here on home soil, play well, and get one of those spots.”

Lorenzo Vera said: “I knew that If I wanted to give myself a chance to play in The Open I needed to make par on the last, but I hooked that three-wood. I hit a good wedge, but the green was an absolute rock. I had to make that putt, I gave it a chance and I made it

“My objective at the beginning of the season was to play two Majors. I played the US PGA Championship and I absolutely needed this one, so that could be great for my mind.”

Runner-up Rahm would love to have added his name to the trophy, but admitted the pressure of playing in front of Spanish fans brought its own distractions to the job in hand of winning.

Rahm, who won the Spanish Open two years ago, revealed: “As wonderful as it is, it’s always difficult to play on home soil. It’s hard to keep my own expectations in check.

“It’s all about Christiaan today – he played a wonderful round of golf. He played an amazing tournament. Ten-under par this week in Valderrama is no joke.

“Playing in front of a home crowd increases my wanting to win the tournament. You’ve got to focus in yourself and keep it to yourself, but every time I went from the green to the tee the support was unbelievable and at the end it’s really hard to not let that through.”

Garcia finished at three-under, with Europe’s 2018 Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjørn, Belgian Thomas Detry, Gavin Green of Malaysia, German Bernd Ritthammer and Japan’s Hideto Tanihara one shot further backG

Garcia, whose foundation hosted the event again, said: “It was a very solid week. You’ve got to be realistic, I feel like I played probably the best I played all year, but I made two putts all week which didn’t help.

“Taking that into account, finishing sixth shows how well I hit the ball. That’s very positive, and that’s what I’m taking.

“It’s been a great tournament for my foundation, and it’s been fun. Every year we seem to be coming up with things to raise more money and that’s nice. Just to be able to help some people is very fulfilling and a great feeling to have.”

The post Bezuidenhout: From drugs ban after 2014 Amateur to victory at Valderrama . . . appeared first on Golf North.

A record crowd of more than 270,000 watched Europe inflict the biggest defeat on the USA in Ryder Cup history – with millions watching on TV and following events at Paris’s Le Golf National via social media. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

THE 2018 Ryder Cup was named Event of the Year at the prestigious BT Sport Industry Awards in London at the end of April.

A record crowd of more than 270,000 fans watched Europe defeat the United States at Le Golf National, Paris, in September – with millions more tuning in around the world on TV.

The biggest event in the golfing calendar also recorded record social media engagement, with more than 22 billion impressions across the week.

It was the most successful Ryder Cup to be staged in Europe, as the biennial contest visited continental Europe for only the second time after Spain hosted it at Valderrama in 1997.

The BT Sport Industry Awards, which took place at Battersea Evolution, recognise the best work from across the sports sector.

The Ryder Cup won the award ahead of Hockey Women’s World Cup, ESL One, Fever Tree Championships, the Grand National and Wimbledon.

European Ryder Cup director Guy Kinnings told Golf North: “We are extremely proud to receive the Event of the Year Award, which is a tribute to all the hard work and dedication of so many people who were involved in making the 2018 Ryder Cup such a resounding success.

“Paris was an iconic host city and the response of fans at Le Golf National and around the world on social media once again underlined the huge appeal of this truly global event.”

It was the second consecutive year the European Tour has been recognised at the BT Sport Industry Awards.

HARRINGTON NAMED RYDER CUP CAPTAIN FOR WHISTLING STRAITS

Last year the European Tour took home the Social Media Campaign of the Year prize for its Access All Areas series, which included such videos as Aaron’s Big Day, the Fastest Hole of Golf, the Awkward Reporter and Bad Coaching.

At this year’s ceremony, the European Tour was also shortlisted for Sports Organisation of the Year Award and the Media Content Award for its coverage of the 2018 Ryder Cup.

Official European Tour partner Hilton was nominated for the Event or Competition Sponsorship Award for their collaboration with the European Tour at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

The post The 2018 Ryder Cup named BT Sport’s Event of the Year appeared first on Golf North.