LIV Golf superstar Jon Rahm denied Open de Espana glory as Angel Hidalgo captures his maiden DP World Tour title on home soil.
LIV Golf sensation Jon Rahm was outshined by Angel Hidalgo who won his first DP World Tour title on his soil in Open de Espana.
Both Hidalgo aged 26 and Rahm aged, 29 could not be separated after 72 holes in Madrid.
Rahm began the final round two shots behind the leader but fired a 68 to reclaim the losing margin.
then birdied the same first hole again, par-4 18th, to force it and then got it done from three feet to beat Standerton.
For Hidalgo the victory seemed almost unbelievable to begin with.
Year ago, two or three, I was in the first tee, in the trees, supporting Jon – I don’t play, I just come to Madrid to watch the tournament,” said Hidalgo.
“To be here and win the tournament is unreal. Oh, my gosh, it’s amazing.
“I was pretty relaxed all day, even the first tee, I don’t know why. Even when I missed the short putt (at the first) – or this one, hole 72 – I was not discouraged
On the 8th tee, I thought David Puig is going to win the tournament by eight because he was hitting amazing, and Jon and myself made a few mistakes.
“That’s amazing. That is for everybody that was here and believed in me, and, yeah, my team, my family, especially, my caddie, he is my best friend. I spoke to him last year when I was sort of hinting that things were getting a bit tough for me and he hung his playing to LIve out the bags for me.
And my grandpa yesterday was 80 years – he was just buried a couple of years ago, but it was his birthday yesterday. My best friend Paco and coach Jordi and my parents travelled this morning by train to be here for the tournament. I miss my brother but I’ll call him now, probably he cries more than I do on this show, him being my brother and all.
Open de Espana Final Leaderboard.
| A. Hidalgo* | -14 |
| J. Rahm | -14 |
| T. Fleetwood | -10 |
| J. Fahrbring | -10 |
| S. Crocker | -10 |
| J. Dean | -10 |
| D. Puig | -10 |
| G. Forrest | -10 |
| *Hidalgo won at 2nd extra hole |
Rahm was looking to snatch victory for the fourth time in the Open de Espana.
The two-time major champion was in a position to be back in the DP World Tour after he had challenged the fines on having joined LIV Golf.
In order to maintain his membership of the DP World Tour, and to remain in contention for the Ryder Cup, Rahm is expected to compete in at least four regular events aside from the majors.
He will also be in Dunhill Links next week also and Andalucia Masters to cater for the demand.
The other counting event was Olympics and Rahm threw away a four-shot lead as he approaching the back nine not even to finish on the podium.
Tommy Fleetwood came joint third on 10-under par alongside five other players.
That score was also contributed for LIV Golf’s David Puig.