Vancsik win adds to Argentine success stories
IN: News | European PGA | Madeira Islands Open (2007) | by Bruce Young | 26 Mar 2007
30-year-old Argentinean, Daniel Vancsik, has won his first European Tour event at this week's Madeira Islands Open by an impressive seven strokes over David Frost and Santiago Luna.
Starting the last round with a four shot lead, Vancsik birdied seven of his first twelve holes and by that stage had so much of a lead that he could afford a couple of late bogeys and still win.
A graduate to the 2006 European Tour from the 2005 Challenge Tour, Vancsik struggled in his first season at the higher level and was forced to regain his card at the Q School late last year and only just made it through. Things were not looking a lot better this season prior to this week either, as he had made just three starts in seven events and had a best finish of 35th at the Blue Chip New Zealand Open.
It is events such as this week's, however, where players such as Vancsik get their chance to shine while the leading players in Europe are elsewhere and he did just that. After the event Vancsik gave credit to his caddy, his coach, Jose Cantero, a revamped golf swing and a better attitude and concentration on the golf course as a result of working with sports psychologist, Paulo Pecora. "I was determined to keep my concentration, even with a seven shot lead."
Vancsik continues a long tradition of Argentine winners on the European Tour starting back in the era of Roberto De Vicenzo. Vicenzo led the way and trailblazed for the golfers from his country with his great win at the Open at Hoylake in 1967 but there have been many to follow including the likes of Vicente Fernandez and in more recent times, Eduardo Romero, Angel Cabrera, Ricardo Gonzalez and Andres Romero. Nine golfers form Argentina have now won on the European Tour.
Just last week at the TCL Classic in China, yet another player from the Argentine, Rafael Echenique, emerged as a likely contender for titles in the future when he finished runner up to Chapchai Nirat.
David Frost finished runner up this week but for the South African, who once was such an impressive winner of titles on the USPGA Tour, this result continued a return to form following his 6th place in a much stronger field at the Johnnie Walker Classic in Thailand a month ago. The 47-year-old has wound down his playing schedule in recent times and has developed his own wine business in South Africa and done some television analyst work but these performances might just inspire him to bigger things.
Spanish golfer Santiago Luna shared second place with Frost. Two late bogeys proved costly for the 44-year-old but the previous winner of the event will be pleased to have played so well in his first start of the season on the European Tour. Luna regained his European Tour card in Spain late last year when he finished 13th at the Tour School.
For the second consecutive week Brisbane golfer, Simon Nash, was the best of the Australians. Nash is playing without status on the European Tour but gained a start last week in China as a result of a near miss at the Tour School last year. He missed his card by just one shot in Spain after dropping several shots over the closing holes but a fourth place finish at the TCL Classic and now a 7th place finish this week gives him hope of more starts.
Wade Ormsby was 25th, Steve Alker was 32nd, Andrew Tampion 37th and David Bransdon was 65th.
The European Tour now moves to Portugal for the Estoril Open de Portugal.
