Carlos Rodiles almost had the chance of becoming the first
Spaniard to win at Valderrama (apart from the 1997 Ryder
Cup) – and, more importantly, winning his first European
Tour title. In the end, however, amidst intense Spanish disappointment,
it was Fredrik Jacobson who took the Volvo Masters Andalucía
title and achieved various firsts of his own: the first Swede
to win three official European Tour events in the same season;
the first wire-to-wire winner of the Volvo Masters Andalucía;
and the first time he had won more than one million euros
in a season. He also emulated fellow Swede Anders Forsbrand,
who finished fourth on the 1992 Volvo Order of Merit (and
who, ironically, used to represent Valderrama on the Tour).
It had taken Jacobson 160 Tour events coming into 2003 before
he won his first event, then he reeled off three in 18 starts.
As well as a cheque for 583,330 euros, he gained a five-year
exemption on the Tour and will be able to play in all next
year's major championships.
 |
| All seemed against Jacobson
on 18th |
| Foto
Bosco Martín |
As for Rodiles, he had his chances, especially a putt
from three metres for a birdie on the first extra hole
that would have given him the title. Three sudden-death
holes later, his challenge was over, though a second prize
of 388,880 euros would have provided some consolation,
and he also finished a career best 24 th on the Volvo Order
of Merit, one place behind fellow Málaga star Miguel
Angel Jimenez (Volvo Masters Andalucía winner in
1999 at Montecastillo – the only Spanish victory to date).
As for the rest of the field, Brian Davis made a valiant
charge with a closing six-under-par 66 but he began the
day too far behind and ended up there strokes adrift of
the play-off. Sergio García was the leading Spaniard,
a closing 71 giving him a two-under-par total of 286.
 |
| Ródiles fails the decisive
putt for his first victory |
Foto
Bosco Martín
|
El partido de los lideres, sin duda el más seguido
por el público que lleno el campo como no se recordaba
desde los Campeonatos del Mundo de Golf, se mantenía
inevitablemente empatado en los últimos hoyos
hasta llegar al 16, en el que un bogey de Rodiles desequilibró la
balanza a favor del sueco. Llegó el temible de
17, abarrotado de un público volcado con el español
y como en los grandes días de Valderrama, Jacobson
se fue al agua (doble bogey) y Rodiles firmaba un estupendo
birdie que le ponía dos por debajo, con todo a
favor y con el público en el bolsillo. La salida
del español en el 18 no fue buena, seguramente
precipitada por verse claramente ganador, lo que le llevo
a hacer un bogey contestado por el seguro sueco (madera
3 de salida) con un birdie que ponía el empate
sobre la mesa. Rodiles falló un putt de tres metros
que le hubiera dado la victoria.
En todo caso el español se va segundo, con un
premio de 388.000 euros y con el prestigio de haber estado
por primera vez con verdaderas opciones de turno en su
carrera.
El resto de españoles paso el día sin
pena ni gloría, García acaba séptimo
con -2, Olazábal empatado en el décimo
puesto al par del campo y Garrido, que sucumbió desde
el primer día, en el puesto 44 con +12.
Un incomparable día de golf hoy en Valderrama
que pone la guinda a al torneo y la temporada del circuito
europeo. |
