Adrian Otaegui overturned a five-shot deficit to secure his fifth DP World Tour title at the Volvo China Open and earn a spot in the US PGA Championship later this month.
The Spaniard entered the final round five strokes behind Sweden's Sebastian Söderberg, who had held the lead since Friday after Saturday's third round was canceled due to lightning in the Shenzhen area.
Bright conditions greeted the course for the final round at Hidden Grace Golf Club and Otaegui made a good start with four birdies and five pars on his front nine to take the lead at the turn. Another advantage at the par-five 13th, followed by back-to-back birdies at 16 and 17 saw him hit the lead for the first time on 18 under par.
The 31-year-old bravely birdied the par-four 18th hole and carded a seven-under-par 65 to win by one shot over second-placed Guido Migliozzi.
Söderberg went off the mark on his final tee with a closing double bogey, which saw him slip into a tie for third alongside Englishman Paul Waring and Switzerland's Joel Girrbach on 16 under. Lloyd Jefferson Go of the Philippines finished sixth at 15 under par, while South Africa's Brandon Stone carded a final-round 64 to move back into seventh place.
Otaegui said: “I had to stop for a while as I finished to see what happened in the last group, but luckily for me things went well and I'm very happy. I was starting five shots back and I tried not to look at the leaderboard, and just try to play how I played on Thursday and Friday and think if things go well, it's a course where I can get birdie opportunities.
“I hit some really good shots on the last few holes. I think the four iron I hit on 16 was pretty good, I almost holed it. The three-wood on 17, the second shot, was pretty good, so I just felt good and continued to play my game.
THREE PLAYERS EARN PGA PLAY FIRST
Otaegui's victory moved him up to third in the Asian Swing Rankings to secure a spot in the US PGA Championship alongside Söderberg, the ratings winner, and Japan's Keita Nakajima, who finished second.
“Playing a Major this year has been my biggest goal and I'm excited to be at the PGA Championship in two weeks – it will give me enough time to relax at home next week and then head to America. ,” said Otaegui.
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