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He may have had to wait five years, but the UAE’s Adrian Otaegui finally has the chance to defend the title he won back in 2020, at this week’s $2.75 million Nexo Championship on the DP World Tour.
The Spain-born Emirati arrived at Fairmont St Andrews as a two-time DP World Tour winner but without a 72-hole stroke play victory having lifted the trophy at the Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play and the Belgian Knockout.
Adrian Otaegui – 2020 Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play – Getty Images
He set the tone in Scotland with an opening 62 and while rounds of 70-70 saw him head into the final day four shots behind Matt Wallace, he went low again with a closing 63 to claim a four-shot win at 23 under.
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“Stroke play is my favourite way of golf, I think it’s the proper way,” said Otaegui. “You have to play very solidly and very consistently all four rounds, which I think I did. I’m very happy to be able to win stroke play as well, my third win on the European Tour.”
Otaegui has since gone on to claim two further DP World Tour triumphs at the 2022 Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters and 2024 Volvo China Open as he looks to add another trophy to his collection at Trump International Golf Links this week.
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Main Image: Harry Grimshaw
