French ace Raphaël Jacquelin captured his fourth Race to Dubai Tour in historic manner winning the prestigious Spanish Open at the ninth extra play-off hole.
Frechman Rafael Jacquelin captures his fourth Race to Dubai in historic manner – over nine play-off holes. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)
Jacquelin, who last captured the 2011 Sicilian Open, defeated Germany’s Maxmilian Kieffer on the Parador de El Saler course in Valencia.
The Spanish Open play-off equalled a European Tour record for the longest play-off since the 1989 KLM Open, when José María Olazábal beat Roger Chapman and Ronan Rafferty.
Three players – Jacquelin, Kieffer and Chile’s Felipe Aguilar – had ended regulation play on five under par.
It was then back to 18th hole with Aguilar bowing out after the third extra hole before Jacquelin and Kieffer continued playing the 18th paring the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth extra holes before Jacquelin sealed the German’s fate by chipping to five feet at the ninth extra hole and then holing the putt for a birdie ‘3’.
“That is very tiring but I am really, really happy,” said Jacquelin.
“I just could not make any putts in the play-off but thankfully the last one dropped, which means a lot for me and my family.”
He added, jokingly: “There’s another baby coming at the end of November; every time I get a baby, there’s a win so I’ll have a football team after a few years!”
Speaking about the precocious Kieffer, playing his just his tenth European Tour event, Jacquelin said: “He is starting this year very well. He is going to do very well and going to win a lot, I am sure.”
Scotland’s Marc Warren led by two going into the last day but then self-destructed to bogey four of the last five holes and post a last day 76 for a share of fourth place at four under par and just a shot out of the play-off.
And fellow Tartan player Craig Lee headed home disappointed.
Lee, seeking a first Race to Dubai success, went into the final day two shots behind Warren in second place but bogeyed his opening five holes and then 16 and 17 before the Stirling golfer’s only birdie of the day at the last in a horror score of 78 for a level par tally and a distant share of 21st place.
