Garrido wins playoff with Immelman at Volvo PGA
IN: News | European PGA | Volvo PGA Championship (2003) | Wrap | by Bruce Young | 26 May 2003
For 31-year-old Spaniard Ignacio Garrido, golf is in his blood. His father Antonio was five time winner on the European Tour in the 1970's and 80's and has gone on to win twice on the European Seniors Tour. Ignacio caddied for his dad on several occasions including at this very course. He has had a three year relationship with Samantha Head who is now in her first season on the Japan LPGA Tour where she has already done very well.
He joined the European Tour via the Challenge Tour in 1994 following a successful amateur career. Since that time he has not once failed to keep his card although 1997, until this season, had been far and away his best. That year he won the German Open, was twice second and finished sixth on the Volvo Order of Merit. In 1998 he suffered the blow of finding fifteen clubs in his bag during the second round of the British Masters, a mistake that effectively cost him the title as the resultant four shot penalty saw him finishing just two strokes behind Montgomerie.
His win in this week's Volvo PGA Championship was his second on the European Tour and the first prize of 583,000 euros moves him into fifth on the 2003 Volvo money list despite this being his first top ten of the season.
To take the first prize he needed to head off one of the games emerging talents, South African Trevor Immelman. Immelman's last round 68 saw him finish at 18 under to tie Garrido's score, the Spaniard having finished earlier with a last round 65. Many had chances in the early and middle stages of the last round but Garrido's middle round surge and Immelman's closing two birdies, had them draw clear. In fact, Immelman rallied from three behind with just four holes to play to tie.
The first playoff hole was the par five 18th and when Immelman found the green in two he looked to have the upperhand, especially given that Garrido was rebounding off the greenside trees with his second. Garrido then proceeded to knock his approach to two feet and looked on as Immelman three putted to hand the title to Garrido, eight years his senior.
Mathias Gronberg followed up his recent Italian Open win with a third place and Ernie Els, back from a wrist injury, closed in fourth continuing his love affair with the Wentworth layout.
The leading Australasians were Peter Fowler, Adam Scott and Stephen Leaney tied in 20th place, each earning 40,000 euros ($A71,000). Michael Campbell was 48th, Greg Turner 58th with Peter Senior and Nick O'Hern 64th.
The European Tour now heads across to Wales for the Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open.
