John Catlin waited 33 European Tour events to capture a maiden victory title and now like the proverbial No. 272 bus, the American has won a second in his next two events.
Catlin, 29 birdied three of his closing four holes in a round of a six-under 64 for a 10-under par and win by two shots under four days of a ‘preferred lie’ ruling.
Catlin also became only the third American to capture the Irish Open and a first since 1977 when Hubert Green held off compatriot Ben Crenshaw, who had won the event a year earlier.
“It’s pretty odd. So many years of hard work have gone into this moment. It was my goal to win again at the start of this week, to have accomplished it is something truly, truly special,” said Catlin.
American John Catlin becomes first American in 43-years to win the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open – Photo European Tour/Getty
“I had nothing to lose. I was going after every flag, I had good numbers and the greens were soft. So I started taking aim and hit a couple in their close. I made a long one on 15 and that three wood on 18 was so satisfying. It was 268 yards to the hole, cold and damp. To just hit a big high draw in there like I know I can, under those conditions, really is hard to put into words.
“Winning at Valderrama was massive. You never know if you’re going to win or not, to get that monkey off my back at Valderrama really freed me up today to know I could do it. Be able to look myself in the mirror and tell myself that I’ve been here before and I can do it again.
“I’ve always wanted to play in the Majors, that’s the only level of golf I haven’t played at. Hopefully one day I can win one of those as well. To have gotten inside that top 100 is a big leap forward.”
John Catlin wins the Adalucia Masters at Valderrama in his 33rd European Tour event and has won again in his 35th start
England’s Aaron Rai, and who led for three rounds, failed to birdie in the last to force a play-off and instead posted a bogey in a round of 70 to be runner-up at eight under par.
Thailand’s 24-year Jazz Janewattananond, and a six-time winner on the Asian Tour, let slip victory in taking a double-bogey at the par-3 14th and dropping from one in front to then one behind.
‘Jazz’ eventually posted a 69 to finish third at seven-under and tied with Australian Maverick Antcliff (70).
Overnight frost and morning fog led to a three-and-a-half-hour delay to the start of play.
