Polish golf star Adrian Meronk (-16) clinched the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters trophy with a final six-under 66, one shot ahead of Matti Schmid, to become a four-time winner in just fifteen months and secure his spot in the OWGR top 50.
The leaderboard was packed at the top on the final round of the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters in gusty conditions. German rising talent Matti Schmid led for fifteen holes before giving back a shot on 16. Meanwhile Meronk, playing in the group ahead, was making birde on 17 to take a one-shot lead.
The Pole made a slow start, dropping two shots on the first two holes, until he bounced back with eagles on 6 (par 5) and 9 (holed from the fairway). Four more birdies on 10, 12, 14 and 17 were enough to get the job done.
“It was a tough start for me today. I hit a couple of bad shots at the beginning but I was trying to stay positive, talking to myself a lot, trying to stay in the game and keep hitting good shots”.
“The eagle on six, gave me momentum and belief that I could turn things around and that’s what happened. Another eagle on nine was huge for the momentum. I was super focused on the back nine, it was playing quite tricky with different wind directions but I did a good job with my caddie to stay focused, pick good targets, good clubs, good irons, hole good putts, and it was just a very solid nine holes of golf.”
“On the ninth hole I had exactly 110 metres. I just hit it perfectly, little draw, one bounce and in. I haven’t holed many shots this year from the fairway; to do it here and to get the win was huge. That one shot made the difference.”
Meronk started a new chapter in the history of Polish golf when he became the first of his compatriots to earn a DP World Tour card. He arrived at Sotogrande having won twice this season (ISPS HANDA Australian Open and DS Automobiles Italian Open) and is now third in the Race to Dubai after winning in Spain.
“My goal at the end of the year was top three on the Race to Dubai. I’m in a great position for a PGA TOUR card so I’ll just focus on that and keep getting better. And it is definitely my goal to finish the year again inside the top 50 in the world to play the Masters, all the Majors. ”
Adrian Meronk adds his name to a list of historic champions at the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande such as Argentine Roberto De Vicenzo and Seve Ballesteros, both of whom lifted the Claret Jug shortly after ̶ a great omen for the Pole!
Adrián Otaegui fought hard to defend the title but dropped to a tie for 9th after carding a final 74 (+2)
“ I tried hard but things didn’t work my way. I wanted to keep doing the things I’ve been doing all week, but we made some mistakes. I was unsure about the wind and never comfortable on the course.”
“Apart from today, it’s been a very good week. Climbing up the rankings and adding points is always positive.”
It was also a good week for Adri Arnaus and Jorge Campillo, who finished tied 19th at -8.
INSIDE THE ROPES
The Minister of Tourism points out the environmental contribution of golf
Arturo Bernal, Minister of Tourism, Sport and Culture of the Junta de Andalucía visited the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters and praised the efforts made by golf courses in terms of sustainability. “We have 120 golf courses in Andalucía, most of which use reclaimed water, and those that cannot do so, use non-drinkable water. Golf courses are great defenders of the environment, and I would like to thank them for their efforts,” he said.
Arturo Bernal also stressed the economic impact of golf in Andalucía: “Golf attracts one million visitors throughout the year with revenues exceeding €2,000 million and generates over 50,000 jobs. Next year we will stage again the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters because we are strongly committed to this activity which helps deseasonalize tourism.”
Adri Arnaus raises a fair amount for his charity
‘Birdies for Children’s Health’, the joint charity led by Adri Arnaus and the Pau Gasol Foundation has benefited for the second week in a row. Adri donates €100 for every birdie and €250 for every eagle during the two-tournament Spanish swing.
He raised €1,550 last week in Madrid, to which he adds €2,350 from one eagle and 21 birdies carded at Sotogrande, plus contributions made by other players and anyone else wishing to support his wonderful initiative
Tears for a dream come true
The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, being one last events of the regular season, means added pressure for players struggling to keep their card. This Sunday, Chase Hanna climbed 40 places in the race to Dubai securing playing rights for his third year on tour. After sinking his last putt to finish fourth, the American was unable to hold back the tears.
Many others have lived this same experience as they reached their dream, like Spaniard Ángel Hidalgo when he earned his first DP World Tour card last year in this same tournament.
Despite the disappointment of finishing second after leading for most of the round, Matti Schmid didn’t leave Sotogrande empty-handed, as he secured his card for next season.
The Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters, an event in the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai made possible by the essential contribution of the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, is sponsored by Estrella Damm and the Consejería de Turismo, Cultura y Deporte de la Junta de Andalucía, jointly funded by the EU and was declared Event of Exceptional Public Interest by the Government of Spain.
