Garrick Higgo Cruises To Canary Islands Victory

Garrick Higgo Cruises To Canary Islands Victory

Garrick Higgo Canary Islands
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Garrick Higgo secured his third European Tour title with a dominant six shot victory at the Canary Islands Championship.

Garrick Higgo Cruises to Canary Islands Victory

Higgo has dominated during the Canary Islands swing, picking up three top-10 finishes, including two victories.

The young South African has loved his three weeks in Spain, finishing an outstanding 68 under-par for the three events!

Garrick Higgo Canary Islands

Higgo won the Gran Canaria Lopesan Open at the end of April. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Starting his final round at the Canary Islands Championship with a two shot lead, Higgo produced a birdie at the opening hole.

Despite a bogey at the second, he went onto birdie the third and then the sixth to move into a commanding four shot lead.

Then came the shot of the tournament at the par-3 seventh, with the 21-year-old finding the bottom of the cup for his first professional hole in one.

After his ace, Higgo birdied the eighth, 11th and 12th to give himself a monster eight shot lead with six holes to go.

With another birdie at the 15th, the South African moved to 28-under-par, and was only one shot away from the European Tour's lowest 72-hole score of 29-under par, set by Ernie Els in 2003.

A disappointing bogey at the 16th put him two shots back of the record, with an up-and-down par at the 17th meaning he would need an eagle at the par-5 18th to tie the record.

Unfortunately the 21-year-old couldn't muster up the eagle, eventually settling for par and a six shot victory.

With the win, Higgo now moves up to fifth in the Race to Dubai rankings and becomes the quickest South African player to win three European Tour titles.

Garrick Higgo Canary Islands

Higgo is congratulated by his fellow countrymen Justin Walters and Dean Burmester. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Speaking after his round, the South African said: "It's amazing, I'm feeling really tired but I'm so happy and thankful.

"Leading from the start isn't easy, especially as it was my first time and in this game anything can happen, but it's awesome to have the South African guys out here. They've really taken me under their wing."

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Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.

Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.

Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x