Fernandez-Castano takes British Masters
BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2008 British Masters | Round Four | 29 Sep 2008
Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano came from three shots behind the third round leaders, Michael Campbell and Lee Westwood, to defeat Westwood in a playoff and win the Quinn Insurance British Masters at the Belfry.
To a large extent Fernandez-Castano has been a quiet achiever on the European Tour since his arrival in 2005 when he was Rookie of the Year. However, his acheivements speck for themselves with this being his fourth European Tour victory, three of those coming in playoffs.
The Spaniard was faultless on the final day, producing a bogey free 67 to join Westwood at 12 under and then after consecutive pars at the opening two playoff holes he two putted for par at the third and it was all over. Westwood had all but shanked his approach in what was rapidly fading light and in doing so presented the 27-year-old Spaniard with the title.
Round three play was completed early on Sunday morning after weather and then darkness precluded the third round from being wrapped up on Saturday. Westwood and Campbell took the lead into the final round with Westwood looking to repeat his victory of 12 months ago and Campbell on the verge of his first stroke-play win since the US Open in 2005.
Campbell struggled on the greens early in his final round and although he fought back over the closing nine holes, a bogey at the last ended his chances. Despite coming up short again, it continues a great run of late for the New Zealander and a return from a very dark and dismal place just two months ago in terms of his playing career.
Westwood, one of only two of last week’s Ryder Cuppers to play this event, bounced back from the disappointment of Valhalla and put up a fine defence of the title he won by five shots last year. The rather unlikely second shot to the final playoff hole will haunt him but the effort to even be in contention after the battles in Kentucky was impressive.
Marcus Fraser was the only Australian to make the cut this week and finished 16th after leading early in the tournament.
The European Tour now moves north to St Andrews for this week’s Dunhill Links Championship.
