Larrazabal wins Dunhill despite horror start
MALELANE, South Africa: Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal survived a badly blistered foot and “the worst golf of my career” to win the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek on Sunday (Monday in Manila).
Larrazabal birdied three of the last four holes as he recovered from a round which included six bogeys and a double bogey.
par 75, for a four-round total of eight-under-par 280, gave him a one-stroke win over Joel Sjoholm
2019/20 European Tour.
On a day when wind and challenging pin positions sent scores scoring, Sjo
69 was the best of the leading contenders.
South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel and Branden Grace and Holland’s Wil Besseling were tied for third, a further stroke back, in a tournament co-sanctioned by South Africa’s Sunshine Tour.
Larrazabal, 36, went into the final round with a three-stroke lead over playing partner Besseling
but his chances of breaking a four-year victory drought seemed to have evaporated when he literally limped to a six- over- par
Struggling with blisters, he took his shoes off as he walked down the ninth fairway.
“I woke up this morning and I couldn’t walk,” he said.
“I have a big blister on my right foot.” But he was still in contention, two behind Besseling, who was one over for the round at that stage.
“I said to myself, you are playing the worst golf of your career and you’re just two behind,” said Larrazbal. “You cannot walk but you are only two behind. Let’s keep struggling and put some heart (in it).” His fightback started with a birdie on the 11th hole, a short par four, but he dropped another - approach to the island green left him with a short birdie putt.
Besseling was tied for the lead playing the last but an eight-iron second shot went over the green edge of the water. He was able
European Tour win.