The battle for this year’s Spanish Open came down to a domestic showdown on Sunday when Andalusia’s Angel Hidalgo held off three-time champion Jon Rahm, who was born in the Basque region, in play-off to win the historic title.
The pair had gone head-to-head in an all-Spanish final group with David Puig, with Rahm’s birdie-birdie finish at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid leaving them tied at 14 under par, after Hidalgo missed a three-foot putt to win in normal time.
It was the first all-Spanish final group at the national open since 2019, when Rahm won comfortably ahead of Rafa Cabrera Bello and Samuel Del Val.
It was closer this time, right from the off as Hidalgo’s two-shot overnight advantage was wiped out at the first hole – he missed a three-foot putt and made bogey while Rahm, also champion in 2018 and 2022, started with a birdie, as did Puig to lie one shot behind.
As the lead changed hands between the trio throughout the round, it was Rahm’s 19-foot putt for birdie at the 17th which cut Hidalgo’s lead to one and Rahm’s birdie the last, as Hidalgo’s putt stayed right of the hole to set up a play-off.
Both players birdied the first extra hole, but after Rahm’s chip slipped past the second time, Hidalgo holed a two-foot putt for victory to claim his maiden DP World Tour title.
FROM FAN TO FAN FAVOURITE
Hidalgo, 26, who played on the Alps Tour in 2020-21, said: “Three years ago, I came to this tournament as spectator to support Jon, so to be standing her now having just won the tournament is unreal!”
“I was pretty relaxed all day, even on the first tee, I don’t know why. Even when I missed the short putt at the first – and the one the hole 72 – I was not discouraged.
This win is for everyone that who has always kept believing in me – my team, my family, especially my caddie, who is also my best friend.”
Puig finished in a large group at 10 under with Jens Fahrbring, Tommy Fleetwood, Joe Dean, Grant Forrest and Sean Crocker.
“I GAVE MYSELF A CHANCE TO WIN”
Rahm, who was making a rare sortie on the DP World Tour, having joined LIV Golf this season, said: “Winning a Spanish Open with all the support that there has been is something very special. You could tell how much Angel felt it and how important it was for him. May he learn from these moments and enjoy them.”
“It’s a pity to have lost in the play-off and not have been able to do better today. I can’t say it has been a bad week. I gave myself a chance to win, which is what I wanted. I gave it my all until the end, and I’m proud of myself.
What happened today is good for Spanish golf, no matter who wins. Hopefully it will inspire some of the kids who were watching here or, on TV, to want to try golf and to experience moments like today’s for themselves.”
Rahm and Hidalgo put four shots between themseveles and the res of the field, with third place shared by six other players, including David Puig, Jens Fahrbring, Tommy Fleetwood, Joe Dean, Grant Forrest and Sean Crocker.