Adrian Otaegui Reigns Supreme At A Dramatic 54-Hole Event In The Far East (But It Wasn't LIV Golf Singapore)
The Spaniard triumphed at Hidden Grace Golf Club by a single shot after the third round was cancelled because of heavy rain
Spaniard Adrian Otaegui won a dramatic China Open on the DP World Tour by a single stroke from Italy's Guido Migliozzi On Sunday after carding a superb final-round 65.
The fifth European Tour victory of Otaegui's career arrived via a total score of 18-under at the end of just 54 holes for the week, with Saturday's third-round action at Hidden Grace Golf Club cancelled due to thunder and lightning in the Shenzhen area.
Not only was a fifth European Tour success important to Otaegui, but the 31-year-old also booked his spot at the upcoming PGA Championship as a result of finishing third in the Asian Swing portion of the DP World Tour's calendar.
Sebastian Soderberg - who, despite his disappointment, still finished top of the Asian Swing - was also aiming to clinch a wire-to-wire victory in China, but the Swede endured a tough final round and could only manage a level-par 72 just days after firing an electric 63.
As the Spanish champion picked up each of his seven birdies without a dropped shot, Soderberg simply could not find any traction of his own and was passed for the lead by Otaegui inside the final three holes. But after both birdied 17, the pair were tied at the top as the eventual winner finished with a par to set the clubhouse lead at -18.
The moment @adrianotaegui claimed his FIFTH DP World Tour title 👏🇪🇸#VolvoChinaOpen pic.twitter.com/Rb9bemhJHAMay 5, 2024
However, stood on the 18th tee box with a chance to win, Soderberg - who has been in such excellent form of late - sent his drive out of bounds to close with a double bogey and slip back into a tie for third.
Reacting to successfully overturning a five-shot deficit at the start of the day for a fifth DP World Tour victory, Otaegui said: "I'm very, very happy, I'm extremely happy. I had to wait a little bit since I finished, see what was happening in the final group. But, luckily for me, things turned up well and I'm extremely happy.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
"I was starting five shots back and I tried not to look at the leaderboard, not think about the result, try to play how I played on Thursday and Friday and think if things go well, it's a course where I can have some birdie chances.
"I have been putting well, I was feeling more and more confident through the week with the putter and I knew if I had birdie chances that I could potentially hole a few. I think I was actually feeling more calm through the round."
Briefly discussing his PGA Championship achievement, too, Otaegui said: "Playing a Major this year was a big goal for me. I’m delighted that I will be at the PGA Championship in two weeks. It will be just enough time to rest a little bit at home next week and then head to America."
A post shared by Golf Monthly (@golfmonthly)
A photo posted by on
Soderberg ended alongside Englishman Paul Waring and Swiss player, Joel Girrbach on -16 while Filipino Lloyd Jefferson Go finished in solo sixth at 15-under. South Africa's Brandon Stone carded a brilliant final-round 64 to sit one shot further back.
Austrian Matthias Schwab and American Johannes Veerman finished T8 at 13-under, while France's Antoine Rozner wrapped up the top-10 at 12-under.
The DP World Tour season will not return until after the PGA Championship takes place, with the European Swing beginning at the Soudal Open in Belgium between May 23-26.
Jonny Leighfield is our Staff News Writer who joined Golf Monthly just in time for the 2023 Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. He graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2017 and spent almost five years as the sole sports reporter at his local newspaper. During his time with Golf Monthly, Jonny has interviewed several stars of the game, including Robert MacIntyre, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, and Joaquin Niemann. An improving golfer himself, Jonny enjoys learning as much about the game as he can and recently reached his Handicap goal of 18 for the first time. He attended both the 150th and 151st Open Championships and dreams of attending The Masters one day.
-
How Many Points Has Each Player Won At The Team Cup?
Great Britain & Ireland are closing in on victory against Continental Europe at the Team Cup – here is how each player has performed ahead of the Sunday singles
By Mike Hall Published
-
Former Amateur No.1 Becomes LIV Golf Reserve After Strong Promotions Event Showing
Ollie Schniederjans will be a LIV Golf reserve in 2025, while he'll also play on the Asian Tour's International Series
By Mike Hall Published
-
How Many Points Has Each Player Won At The Team Cup?
Great Britain & Ireland are closing in on victory against Continental Europe at the Team Cup – here is how each player has performed ahead of the Sunday singles
By Mike Hall Published
-
'He's Been Something Special' - Paul McGinley Backs One Particular Player To Star In Ryder Cup
Speaking at the Team Cup, the former Ryder Cup captain revealed that Team Europe are looking at 'two or three rookies' for 2025, with McGinley giving Matthieu Pavon very high-praise
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Report: Rory McIlroy Tipped For India Debut In Lucrative New Tournament
The Hindustan Times is reporting that Delhi Golf Club will host a $5 million event towards the latter stages of the DP World Tour's 2025 campaign
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Team Cup 2025: Format, Teams, How To Watch - Everything You Need To Know
Find out everything you need to know ahead of the 2025 Team Cup between Great Britain & Ireland and Continental Europe
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'It Was The Stand-Out Tournament From Start To Finish' - Which Golf Event Was The Best This Year?
There have been hundreds of tournaments played throughout 2024 and, in this piece, the Golf Monthly team nominate their most entertaining events from the season
By Matt Cradock Published
-
'It Was The Out-And-Out Shock Of The Year' - Which Moment In Golf Stood Out Above All Else?
2024 has been a year of huge shocks on and off the golf course and, in this piece, the Golf Monthly team have discussed which particular moment stood out to them
By Matt Cradock Published
-
'The Hardest Category To Judge' - Who Recorded Golf's Round Of The Year?
We've been treated to some excellent rounds in 2024 and, below, the Golf Monthly team have given their thoughts on which one they think was the best
By Matt Cradock Published
-
The 12 Most Underrated Golf Seasons Of 2024
Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda dominated men's and women's golf in 2024, but there were plenty of players who saw fine seasons go under the radar - we look at the pick of the bunch
By Paul Higham Published