Spanish Open final leaderboard
-14 A Hidalgo (Spa), J Rahm (Spa); -10 J Fahrbring (Swe), J Dean (Eng), G Forrest (Sco), D Puig (Spa), S Crocker (US), T Fleetwood (Eng)
Selected others: -8 P Reed (US), T Hatton (Eng); -6 S Lowry (Ire), -4 R Ramsay (Sco), M Wallace (Eng)
Spain’s Angel Hidalgo held off a storming comeback from compatriot Jon Rahm to win the Spanish Open in Madrid – claiming his maiden title on the DP World Tour in a play-off.
The 26-year-old rolled in a short birdie putt on the second extra hole to clinch victory after missing a makeable birdie chance on the 18th to win in regulation.
Three-time former champion Rahm started the final day two shots behind his playing partner, who had led since Thursday’s opening round at the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid.
Hidalgo shot a one-under-par 70 on Sunday to open the door for Rahm, who finished with back-to-back birdies in his 68 as the pair ended level on 14 under.
The world number 398 rolled in a birdie putt on the first extra hole to match Rahm’s effort, and then held his nerve to beat his hero.
“Two or three years ago, I was on the first tee, in the trees, supporting Jon. Without playing, I just came here to Madrid to see the tournament,” said Marbella-born Hidalgo, whose only other professional title came on the Challenger Tour in 2021.
“To be here and win the tournament is unreal. Oh, my gosh, it’s amazing.”
Scotland’s Grant Forrest hit nine birdies in his seven-under 64 to move into a six-way tie for third place, alongside England’s Joe Dean and Tommy Fleetwood.
Sweden’s Jens Fahrbring and the United States’ Sean Crocker also finished on 10 under, as did Spain’s David Puig, who looked set to challenge for the title after four birdies in his opening seven holes, but fell away with five bogeys to finish with a 71.
Rahm misses out on return to DP World Tour
Rahm finished runner-up on only his second appearance on the DP World Tour this season, after previously playing in the Paris Olympics, which counted as part of the European circuit.
He said he spent time in hospital with an unspecified illness in the build-up to the tournament and was just “happy” to be able to compete.
“Thinking that on Tuesday morning I was in hospital in another country, on the other side of the Atlantic, in the end, I’m happy,” said the 2018, 2019 and 2022 Spanish Open winner, after missing out on what would have been a record fourth title.
“It’s a pity to have lost in the play-off [but] I can’t say it has been a bad week.”
Rahm was only allowed to enter the tournament after lodging a late appeal against fines imposed by the DP World Tour for his participation in conflicting Saudi Arabian-funded LIV Golf tournaments.
The two-time major champion needs to play in four tournaments a season to retain his membership of the European-based circuit, which is necessary to be considered for the 2025 Ryder Cup team.
He has entered next month’s Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland and the Andalucia Masters at Sotogrande in Spain.
The DP World Tour season ends in November.
