Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano captured the rain-affected Barclays Singapore Open thanks to a borrowed putter.
‘Gonzo’ holed a 10-birdie putt at the second extra hole to defeat gallant Philippine Juvic Pagunsan.
The duo returned to the Sentosa course at 7.30am today (Monday) to complete the play-off that had been stopped due to electrical storms the day before.
Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano ends a three year winless drought in capturing the 2011 Barclays Singapore Open. (Photo Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
‘Gonzo’ and Pagunsan then pared the first extra hole before the Spaniard caputred his fifth European Tour success and his first in over three years since winning the British Masters at The Belfry.
“It’s a great relief to win again especially after the way I played yesterday because I was leading by four with seven holes to play and then I was fighting to get in a play-off” said Gonzo.
“It’s been a tough year because I’ve struggled with injury but this week I got a monkey off my back.
“It’s been three years without a victory so to win again means a lot to me.
“Also coming back this morning was good for me as I was under stress over the back nine yesterday because all night last night to think about my game and how to improve it.”
But while the father of two holed some glorious putts over the course of the shortened event, including his 15-foot gem to get into the play-off, it was a number of shorter putts that brought heartache for the Madrid golfer.
And Gonzo revealed at the prize-giving ceremony he had been receiving lessons from fellow Spaniard Alfredo Garcia-Heredia.
“Putting is probably my Achillles Heel but it has improved over the last month thanks to the work I have been doing with my fellow countryman Afredro Garcia-Heredia who helped me a lot in the Czech Republic.
“And thanks to him as I am also using his putter. He gave me a few tips to help me out but in the heat of the battle it is a different story.”
But while Gonzo was celebrating being a $US1m richer there was joyful scenes for the 33-year old Philippine who earned $US 666,660 and many new friends for the manner he conducted himself over the course of the event.
