Frenchman Julien Guerrier ended his long wait for his first top tier title as he beat Jorge Campillo in a record-equalling nine-hole play-off at the DP World Tour’s Andalucía Masters in Spain.
The crowds at Sotogrande were treated to a thrilling battle between home favourite Campillo and Guerrier on Sunday, with the lead changing hands throughout the afternoon before a mammoth play-off was required to break the deadlock after Guerrier holed his clutch 16-foot par putt on the 18th to join his playing partner at 21 under par following 72 holes.
The Frenchman came out on top at the ninth extra hole, nervelessly holing from eight feet to enter the winner’s circle for the first time on his 230th start.
Campillo holed a vital putt at the first play-off hole as he knocked in from range for par to keep the competition alive, before both players parred the second extra hole. Campillo had a seven-foot birdie putt to win at the third play-off hole but sent it just wide.
The fourth, fifth and sixth extra holes were halved in pars, before Guerrier’s chip from the rough lipped out on the seventh extra hole. The contest was finally settled on extra hole number nine as Guerrier slotted in his par putt to secure the trophy.
The 38-year-old started the week in 81st spot on the Race to Dubai rankings, and he left Sotogrande having climbed 63 places into 18th and earned his place at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship next month.
Guerrier said: “I’m feeling great. My game wasn’t in the best shape, but my putting was very good and I fought as hard as I could.
“Standing over the last putt I was thinking of my kids and they gave me the strength to get over the line. It’s been a long wait and I’m very emotional right now. I have to thank them for supporting me throughout my career.”
England’s Daniel Brown finished third on 19 under par, while Jordan Smith and Rasmus Højgaard were a shot further back in fourth.
Jon Rahm, making his second appearance in Spain in the last month, carded a closing five-under 67 to climb into solo sixth on 17 under par.