By Matt Smith
It was a Spanish Armada as the DP World Tour landed in mainland Europe for the first time this season with a four-week stint closer to home than most of the golfers are accustomed to these days.

But with a welcome respite of a few weeks away from the grind, it was local boy Pablo Larrazabal who prospered by claiming the inaugural ISPS Handa title just outside Tarragona.

There was a home-away-from-home comfort for Dubai’s Adrian Otaegui as he secured second spot behind his compatriot at the end of a torrid four days that were thrown into mayhem by the weather.

Larrazabal claimed his seventh DP World Tour title, and confirmed his return to form with a second win of the season in just four appearances this season. The Spaniard signed off in style as he birdied the final hole for a scorching 62 and a first win on home soil.

The 38-year-old, who won the MyGolfLife Open last month in South Africa, began the final round three strokes back at Infinitum — just outside Tarragona and one hour down the road from his home in Barcelona — and he catapulted himself into the mix courtesy of five successive birdies from the ninth.

Fellow Spaniard Otaegui and his two playing partners in the final group, Aaron Cockerill of Canada and South Africa’s Hennie Du Plessis, all remained in contention coming down the stretch having shared a three-way tie for the lead heading into the final round.

But Larrazabal’s 15-under total, after an eight-under final round, was enough to clinch a seventh Tour title – moving him alongside Jon Rahm, Alvaro Quiros and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano on the list of Spaniards with most wins, and making him the second multiple winner of the 2022 season after World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.

Dubai man Otaegui had an opportunity to force a play-off with an eagle chance at the last, but a birdie was only enough to finish one stroke back in second spot, with Cockerill and Du Plessis finishing a shot further back in a share of third on 13-under.

“What a day,” said Larrazabal. “But I knew that my golf was there. I couldn’t make any putts the first three days but I told my girlfriend last night that she had to choose my clothing for the (winning) pictures.

“I knew that I had a low one in my bag and that’s what I did. Today I holed putts and that was key. I mean, to shoot 62 in windy conditions with the flags out there, it was good.

“This weekend my physical trainer was here. My girlfriend and my brother are here, my friends from home are here. So it’s been quite emotional but I kept the nerves down and kept concentrated and I managed to finish the job, so I’m very happy.

“Today I found something on the putting green going in (ahead of the fourth round) and I knew that I had a low one. And I had to have a low one. I don’t play golf for positions, I play golf for trophies and I knew that 15-under was the number to catch.

“I’m glad I got the seventh title here at home. I live one hour and 15 minutes up the road and it’s very special to win in Spain, in front of a few friends of mine, and obviously in front of my girlfriend and my brother.

“So it’s not going to be the most emotional win in my career but it’s one of them.

“It’s been tough, the last three years, the last maybe five, six years.

“When your golf is not there and then injuries, and then these 20-year-old kids are coming in and they’re flying the ball 50, 60 yards over yours and you’re not putting well, you’re not chipping well. There are a lot of things coming into my mind.

“I thought a lot about not playing any more. And sometimes if you believe and you keep working hard, life gives you back and it’s been a long road. For the trust and for the work I did, and for the patience, I think I really deserve it.”

Otaegui was gracious in defeat and knows his time will come sooner rather than later.

“It’s been a great day, no bogeys, holed a few par putts, played really well, lots of shots to the pin,” he said. “I think I did a great job and congratulations to Pablo — that has been an amazing round. It was windy out there.

“I am really happy. Of course, over 72 holes there has been good, and not that good, shots but I think I did the right thing.

“I need to have some rest now and get ready for next week. I came in playing very well and this week I just played well, so I’m enjoying myself a lot at the moment.”

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