Spain’s Pablo Larrazábal won the ISPS Handa Championship after firing a brilliant final round 62 at Infinitum, the club formerly known as Lumine in Spain.
The 38-year-old from Barcelona began the final round three shots behind the leaders at the DP World Tour event, but catapulted himself into the mix courtesy of five successive birdies from the ninth.
Fellow Spaniard Adrian Otaegui and his two playing partners in the final group, Aaron Cockerill and Hennie Du Plessis, all remained in contention coming down the stretch having shared a three-way tie for the lead heading into the final round. But Larrazábal’s 15 under total, after an eight under final round, was enough to clinch a seventh Tour title – moving him alongside Jon Rahm, Alvaro Quiros and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño on the list of Spaniards with most wins.
Otaegui had an opportunity to force a play-off with an eagle chance at the last, but a birdie was only enough to finish one stroke back in second spot, with Cockerill and Du Plessis finishing a shot further back in a share of third on 13 under.
Larrazábal, who also won in South Africa last month, said: “What a day! I knew that my golf was there, but I couldn’t make any putts over the first three days. I told my girlfriend last night that she had to choose her clothing for the winner’s pictures, as I knew that I had a low one in my bag, and that’s what I did. Today I holed putts and that was key. To shoot 62 in windy conditions, with the flags where they were, was pretty good.
“I have to thank so many people. First of all, my equipment sponsor, Callaway, who have supported me through the years. I put a new Rogue ST three-wood in the bag last week, and it’s working great, so I have to thank them for that. My girlfriend and my brother are here, my friends from home were here, so it’s been quite emotional, but I kept my nerves in check and kept concentrating, and I managed to finish the job, so I’m very happy.”
PABLO LARRAZABAL’S WINNING GEAR
Driver: Callaway Rogue ST Triple Diamond S (10.5°)
Fairway woods: Callaway Rogue ST Triple Diamond (15°), Callaway Epic Speed (18°)
Utility: Callaway X Forged UT (24)
Irons: Callaway Apex TCB (5-7), Callaway Apex MB (8-PW)
Wedges: Callaway Mack Daddy 4 (48°, 56°, 60°)
Putter: Odyssey Toulon Las Vegas
Ball: Callaway Chrome Soft X