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
![Adrian Otaegui poses with the China Open trophy and holds his hand up to indicate his fifth DP World Tour victory](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KeUHrMhKcpBLhY2EUdaM6A-1280-80.jpg)
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.
-
Open Qualifying Series 2025: Full Schedule Ahead Of Royal Portrush
The R&A has confirmed the 13 different opportunities which will give golfers their chance to book a spot at the 153rd Open Championship later this year
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Australian Professional Gets LIV Golf Adelaide Call-Up
Wade Ormsby will tee it up in his home city of Adelaide for the LIV Golf event, with the Australian making a second straight start as injury cover for Iron Heads GC
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Haotong Li Clinches Dramatic Qatar Masters Victory With 72nd-Hole Birdie
China's Haotong Li sealed a sensational victory at the DP World Tour's Commercial Bank Qatar Masters with a birdie at the 72nd hole
By Jonny Leighfield Last updated
-
Historic Golf Open Set For Huge Format Change Following Criticism
The tournament, which featured men's and women's events taking place on the same courses concurrently, will have a more conventional format from now on
By Mike Hall Published
-
DP World Tour Launches Free Streaming Golf Channel
The European Tour has partnered with C15 Studio to launch a 24/7 golf channel which is initially available only to fans in North America and the UK
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Commercial Bank Qatar Masters 2025 Prize Money Payout
Rikuya Hoshino is not in the field to defend his title at Doha Golf Club, where another $2.5 million prize purse is on the line for DP World Tour players
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Laurie Canter Wins Bahrain Championship Epic With Playoff Hole Birdie
Laurie Canter secured a second DP World Tour victory in an enthralling final day in Bahrain, with the Englishman fending off Pablo Larrazabal and Dan Brown in a playoff
By Matt Cradock Last updated
-
How Much Laurie Canter Won At The Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship
The Englishman picked up his second DP World Tour title at Royal Golf Club, but how much prize money did he win?
By Jonny Leighfield Last updated
-
Alejandro Del Rey Secures Crowning Glory Via Dominant Ras Al Khaimah Championship Win
The Spaniard - whose surname translates as 'of the King' - picked up his first DP World Tour title after triumphing by four strokes at Al Hamra Golf Club
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Ras Al Khaimah Championship Prize Money Payout 2025
The Ras Al Khaimah's total prize purse has remained consistent following last year's increase, with Thorbjorn Olesen defending his title at Al Hamra GC
By Jonny Leighfield Published