Spain’s Alejandro Canizares has stormed his way to a five shot success in the Hassan 11 Trophy in Agadir, Morocco.
The Madrid born Canizares was never challenged over the four days and despite taking a double bogey at the last he collect the ceremonial winner’s dagger and also his second European Tour victory with a 21-under par tally on the Golf du Palais Royal course laid out along the Atlantic Ocean shoreline.
Canizares posted a final round two under par 70 to end a eight-year winless drought after breaking through to capture the 2006 Russian Open.
Alejandro Canizares (ESP) winner of the 41st edition of the Trophee HASSAN II at the Golf Du Palais Royal D’Agadir in Agadir Morocco on Sunday 16th March 2014
(Photo – Thos Caffrey / www.golffile.ie)
And England’s Charlie Hull is celebrating after holing a four-foot birdie putt at the first extra hole to win the women’s event held on the adjoining course in Agadir.
It was the 17-year old’s first pro career win on the Ladies European Tour and it proved to be a great birthday present for Hull who will turn 18 years next week.
Victory completes an excellent six months for the 31 year old, who has not missed a cut since September. That run that now stretches to 16 tournaments and includes three other top-ten finishes, and Cañizares was quick to target more titles.
“It’s been a long time since the last win,” he said. “It felt like it was never coming but this week I played great, some of the best golf of my career. I hit good shot after good shot and kept my focus.
“I was very accurate and solid with my irons. I left myself lots of chances and although I did not make all of them, the first day was the key. I putted great the first day, shot ten under and just kept pushing on.
“Hopefully this is the first step for a little bit of improvement in my career. I have some stuff to work on and hopefully I improve little by little to the point where I can play golf as naturally as I did this week.”
Cañizares would have won by a greater margin if not for a piece of bad luck on the 18th, where his approach rolled back off the green and came to rest up against a clump of turf from a divot that had not been properly replaced.
The World Number 141 was told by a referee he was not allowed to move the turf and could only advance the ball a few yards with his third shot before it again rolled back down the slope almost to his feet.
From there he duffed his next pitch but at least allowed himself a wry smile before eventually getting up and down for a double-bogey six.
“It was a pity it ended like that, but who cares? I won the tournament so I am very happy,” he added.
England’s Seve Benson birdied the 18th to claim a share of third place on 12 under with Sweden’s Magnus A Carlsson, who had completed a 68 by holing from off the green on the last for par after a left-handed escape shot from the trees.
