Pablo Larrazábal was the toast of the town on golf’s return to Korea as he won the 2023 Korea Championship by two shots in style.
The Dubai-based Spaniard rallied on the back-nine, with his birdie blitz leaving the rest trailing as he marched to the top of the leaderboard.
A tight battle unfolded at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea on Sunday afternoon, with Larrazábal finding himself in a five-way share of the lead on nine-under when he reached the turn following two front-nine birdies.
The Spaniard slipped from the summit after dropping his first shot of the round at the 10th but roared back, making four birdies in the next five holes to open up a three-shot lead.
He then safely parred his way home to complete a closing 67, finish the tournament on 12-under and claim an eighth DP World Tour title just a couple of weeks before his 40th birthday.
He said: “It’s amazing. In two weeks I’m turning 40. I’m not a long-hitter. To play against all these 20-year-old guys now that hit the ball 40 yards over me, and to beat them is unbelievable.
“To do it here in Korea, where we have not come for 10 years and where I love to play. Now it’s one of my favourite places in the world.
“I will be back to Korea to defend this title and hopefully many more times.
“My older brother is getting married on Saturday. I don’t know if I’ll bring the trophy to the wedding but I’m sure we’ll celebrate 95 per cent his wedding, and a couple – not too many – of drinks celebrating my title.”
