Sotogrande (Spain) (AFP)
The American John Catlin won Sunday the Masters of Andalusia, his first victory on the European golf circuit, with a record total (286, +2), the highest in Europe since 1992.
After four laps on the formidable course of Valderrama, Catlin, despite a card of 75 on Sunday, still came to the end, in extremis at the last hole, of the German Martin Kaymer, winner of two Majors and former world number 1.
In 1992, on the same course, Sandy Lyle won a Volvo Masters with the same total.
Catlin failed to find any birdie on Sunday but had a day filled with spectacular rescues.
He had already won four times on the Asian circuit.
Two strokes behind Catlin, Justin Harding, Wil Besseling and Frenchman Antoine Rozner also finished well in this Andalusian Masters, on one of the most demanding courses in Europe, made famous by a memorable Ryder Cup in 1997.
Former European number 1, Lee Westwood finished in style, with a card of 67, the best of the week.
Enough to go back to 10th place, but eight strokes above par.
Final classification of the Masters of Andalusia, played at Real Club Valderrama de Sotogrande (par 71), in Spain:
1. John Catlin (USA) +2 (69 70 72 75)
2. Martin Kaymer (GER) +3 (72 72 69 74)
3. Wil Besseling (NED) +4 (75 72 69 72)
.
Justin Harding (RSA) +4 (71 75 71 71)
.
Antoine Rozner (FRA) +4 (76 69 73 70)
6. Guido Migliozzi (ITA) +5 (69 74 74 72)
.
Wilco Nienaber (RSA) +5 (72 70 76 71)
8. Connor Syme (ECO) +7 (69 72 76 74)
.
Masahiro Kawamura (JPN) +7 (73 73 74 71)
10. Lee Westwood (ENG) +8 (76 73 76 67)
...
17. Romain Langasque (FRA) +9 (77 73 69 74)
.
Robin Sciot-Siegrist (FRA) +9 (76 73 75 69)
24. Jean-Baptiste Gonnet (FRA) +10 (75 75 72 72)
31. Victor Perez (FRA) +11 (76 74 76 69)
.
Damien Perrier (FRA) +11 (76 70 78 71)
41. Julien Guerrier (FRA) +12 (74 74 75 73)
.
Gregory Havret (FRA) +12 (75 73 74 74)
.
Alexander Levy (FRA) +12 (75 75 75 71)
48. Romain Wattel (FRA) +13 (74 74 71 78)
62. Robin Roussel (FRA) +16 (75 71 76 78)
© 2020 AFP