Round 4 - Host Sergio Garcia claims title

October 23, 2017

Tournament host Sergio Garcia won the Andalucia Valderrama Masters after shooting 4-under 67 Sunday in the final round.

It was the Spaniard's sixth win on home soil and his second title at Real Club Valderrama. He won the Andalucia Masters at this venue in 2011.

Garcia made five birdies to go with one bogey, as he finished on 12-under 272 - one stroke ahead of Joost Luiten of the Netherlands.

''Joost played unbelievable. I played really well and I felt like maybe I could get away and he just kept coming back and back and made it an amazing match,'' Garcia said. ''I stayed patient the whole time, I made sure the bad moments did not affect me too much and made a couple of really key putts coming in.''

The 37-year-old Garcia won the Dubai Desert Classic in February before he clinched his first major at the Masters in April.

He dedicated his 14th European Tour win to his wife, Angela Akins, and the baby they are expecting in March.

Round 3 - Sergio Garcia retakes lead

October 22, 2017

Tournament host Sergio Garcia will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the Andalucia Valderrama Masters after shooting a 3-under 68 on Saturday.

The Spaniard had six birdies and three bogeys to reach 8 under for the tournament, just ahead of English golfer Daniel Brooks, who shot a 7-under 64 for the best round of the week.

Garcia is trying to win his second title at Real Club Valderrama. He won the Andalucia Masters at this venue in 2011.

''There's still a long way (to go),'' Garcia said. ''We can't get too much ahead of ourselves.''

On Friday, he was awarded an honorary lifetime membership by the European Tour in recognition of his U.S. Masters win in April.

Joost Luiten of the Netherlands, who led after the second round, shot an even-par 71 and was two shots behind Garcia.

Scott Jamieson of Scotland (71) and Jamie Donaldson of Wales (68) were three shots off the lead heading into Sunday's final round in southern Spain.

''I felt like I left a couple too many out there,'' Luiten said. ''Especially on the greens with a couple of short putts.''

Round 2 - Joost Luiten leads after an albatross

October 21, 2017

With the help of an albatross from 227 yards out, Joost Luiten shot a 1-under 70 to take a one-stroke lead over tournament host Sergio Garcia and two others at the Andalucia Valderrama Masters on Friday.

The Dutchman holed out with a four iron from the fairway on the par-5 11th at Real Club Valderrama, making it after the ball hit the front of green and gently rolled into the cup for his second career albatross on the European Tour.

Luiten also had two birdies and four bogeys to get to 6-under for the tournament, ahead of Garcia, Scott Jamieson of Scotland and Robert Rock of England.

Luiten, who finished second at the Spanish Open at Valderrama last year, has only one Top-10 finish this season despite missing only four cuts in 22 events. He is seeking his sixth European Tour title.

''I'm happy with the way I played,'' he said. ''Hopefully we can have a good weekend and we can win here, but there's a lot of golf to be played.''

Garcia, competing in his native Spain for the first time since winning his first major at the Masters in April, had three birdies and three bogeys for a par 71.

''I feel like I could have shot probably two or three under but it was tough out there this afternoon,'' the 37-year-old Spaniard said. ''It was a little bit breezy; the fairways were starting to firm up a little bit. Some of the pins were difficult to get to and unfortunately, because of all the rain, the greens in the afternoon were a tiny bit bumpy.''

Garcia, who had a share of the lead after the first round, has been dealing with an inflammation on his wrist.

Round 1 - Host Sergio Garcia shares lead

October 20, 2017

Tournament host Sergio Garcia shot a 5-under 66 to grab a share of the lead at the Andalucia Valderrama Masters in the European Tour on Thursday.

The Spaniard had seven birdies and two bogeys at Real Club Valderrama to finish the opening day level with Joost Luiten of the Netherlands.

The 37-year-old Garcia is competing in his native Spain for the first time since winning his first major at the Masters in April.

''I'm very happy with my round,'' Garcia said. ''I hit my irons very well ... and I made some nice putts here and there.''

Fellow Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal shot a 4-under 67 to share second place with Englishman Robert Rock.

Andrew Johnston, who won at Valderrama last year when it hosted the Spanish Open, shared sixth place after a 2-under 69.

Spain's Jon Rahm got off to a disappointing start with a 3-over 74.

Scores

 

About Ben Brett