Peter lawrie wins Spanish Open

Peter Lawrie made it a hat-trick of Irish victories in three consecutive weeks after his dramatic play-off victory over home favourite Ignacio Garrido in the Open de España at Real Club de Golf de Sevilla.

Lawrie’s maiden European Tour title – secured at the second extra hole thanks largely to a superb bunker shot – followed the breakthrough victory of his close friend and compatriot Damien McGrane at the Volvo China Open, and Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke’s first win for two-and-a-half years at last week’s BMW Asian Open.

McGrane – his room-mate on Tour – had turned the Volvo China Open into a procession, winning by nine shots, but Lawrie was made to work far harder for his victory in soaring temperatures in Seville.   

Sitting on eleven under par after 12 holes of his final round, Lawrie’s chances of victory appeared remote. But four birdies in his last six holes saw the 34 year old installed as the clubhouse leader on 15 under par.

Overnight leader Garrido – playing in the final group with compatriot Miguel Angel Jiménez – had toiled on the front nine, dropping three shots; but a revival after the turn meant he needed a birdie on the 72nd hole to take the tournament to a play-off.

The Spaniard, whose father Antonio won the Spanish Open in 1972, duly rolled in a superb 30ft putt on the 18th green to ensure there would be more drama on an already eventful day in Seville.  

And so to the play-off, with both men finding the fairway off the 18th tee. Lawrie landed his approach shot around 30 feet from the pin, whilst Garrido hit a sublime shot to within six feet of the hole.

Lawrie miraculously sunk his putt – via the left hand edge of the cup – to put the pressure back on Garrido. The Spaniard duly followed him in for birdie, meaning the pair returned to the 18th tee.

This time Lawrie found a fairway bunker, but found the heart of the green with a superbly struck eight iron from the sand. 

In contrast, Garrido could only look on in horror as his approach pitched at pin height, but spun viciously back into the lake guarding the green.

And so Lawrie, after Garrido had pitched on for four, was left with two putts to seal his maiden European Tour victory and claim a £262,000 winner’s cheque which saw him climb from 88th to 12th on the Order of Merit.

The Dubliner, who in 2003 became the first Irishman to win the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award, said: “It feels unbelievable – I’m lost for words. I thought I’d already won the tournament once, because I didn’t think Ignacio would hole that putt on the 18th.

“So I had to regroup for the play-off, and ended up hitting one of the best putts of my life to keep myself in contention. It was a one in a hundred chance, and luckily it dropped in. I guess you have to get the rub of the green if you’re going to win a golf tournament these days.

“I knew if I got things going today, I would have a decent chance of winning. I’ve been playing quite well lately, without really getting my rewards, so maybe it was just my turn today. It was nice to add another trophy for the Irish contingent. Damien [McGrane], my room-mate on Tour, started the ball rolling in China, then Darren [Clarke] picked up the baton last week.

 “My Putting was key to this week. I have been putting very well in recent weeks and I knew I was close to making a breakthrough. I have been practising hard on my short game over the last few months at my local club Castleknock Golf Club, the greens are fantastic, which has helped my short game come on leaps and bounds. I would doubt there are better greens to practise on in Ireland”.

“I will be trying to keep this run going, as I have set myself some other goals for the remainder of the season”.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of my sponsors for their continued support, they are Castleknock Golf Club, Stuburt, Arachas Insurance and Srixon”.