The Andalucía Masters

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Taking place at the venerable Real Club de Sotogrande course just north of Gibraltar, the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters provided spectators with an idyllic exhibition of golf from start to finish. France’s Julien Guerrier came out on top after trading blows with the home favourite Jorge Campillo, their playoff lasting a nail-biting 9-holes.

Guerrier shot up the leaderboard from the very beginning of the tournament having made 10 birdies on his opening round, 7 of them on his front 9 holes. He later captured two eagles on his third round and headed into the final day sharing a 3-shot lead with Campillo, who by this point was looking similarly strong having not carded a bogey all tournament.

Both would evidently be feeling Sunday’s pressure however. Guerrier dropped a shot on the 10^th and some poor short game had him make a 5 on the par-3 13^th hole. Campillo made 3 bogeys on the back 9 holes and they evenly finished on 21-under par ahead of Englishman Daniel Brown.

Most playoffs only last a couple of holes, but the pair kept scoring pars to prolong the duel. They played the 18^th hole three times in a row before alternating between the 17^th and 18^th.

It wasn’t until they’d both teed up on the 18^th for the 6^th time that Campillo found a greenside bunker while Guerrier was on the green in 3. Guerrier then sunk a confident 6-foot putt to secure a par while Campillo was left to finish with a bogey.

Julien Guerrier was clearly overjoyed to have finally secured his maiden European Tour victory; the 39-year-old has previously won on the Challenge Tour. “I’m feeling great and I can’t believe I made it, because it’s been a really long time I’ve been waiting for it. We work really hard every week for that but we have to stay patient. I know Jorge Campillo is a great player but today it goes my way so I’m very happy.”

Golfers playing at the highest level of the game must always be under immense pressure, and the pressure of making it through a 9-hole playoff makes winning it all the more incredible. If you want to build more confidence in your own game, we’re available in the pro shop and we’d be happy to help book you in for some lessons.