Gran Canaria 2021 R4
April 22-25
Meloneras Golf by Lopesan, Gran Canaria, Spain
€1,500,000
Round 1, Round 2, Round 3

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

Garrick Higgo held off the challenge of Maximilian Kieffer to win his second European Tour title at the Gran Canaria Lopesan Open.

"It’s unreal. Jeez, I can’t put it into words, it feels amazing. It’s quite a relief finishing now."

Gran Canaria 2021 R4

The South African had carded the lowest round of his European Tour career with a 63 on day three to put himself in the driving seat and he had extended his lead to four shots by the turn.

Kieffer - fresh off a play-off defeat last week in Austria - came home in 30 to sign for a 62 and pile on the pressure but Higgo kept his cool and registered another 63 to get 25 under par and seal a three shot victory.

"I felt great yesterday so I was looking forward to getting out today," said Kieffer. "I hit great shots the front nine, wouldn’t say I struggled but the putting wasn’t as great as it has been the first two days maybe, and I three putted nine which was a bit disappointing at that moment, but then the back nine I started to just go for it. A nice eagle on ten and from then on, I just played phenomenal golf on the back nine."

Gran Canaria 2021 R4

"I thought shot by shot. I think I birdied the short par four over the cliff which is the toughest drive, and I think I was 21-under then and I thought maybe I am close now but then I saw that Garrick was 23 so my mindset didn’t change at all. I was just trying to make as many birdies as possible."

"I was just trying to go shot for shot. Even though it is windy you have to have the mindset. I learnt that last week. You have to have the mindset to make as many birdies as possible, so I was just trying to do that, and I did a decent job of that on the back nine today."

Gran Canaria 2021 R4

Dane Jeff Winther picked up four shots in his last three holes to sign for a 64 and get to 21-under, two shots clear of England's Sam Horsfield.

Higgo's maiden victory at last season's Open de Portugal at Royal Óbidos came in just his seventh event and this triumph at Meloneras Golf arrives in his 24th.

That makes him the fastest South African to two wins in European Tour history not including Major Championships, and the victory could also move the 21-year-old up to a career best 65th on the Official World Golf Ranking.

"I wasn’t nervous on the outside, but it was the first time ever that I have had a lead, you know starting the day, because all my other wins have been from behind," said Higgo. "So I know what it is like to beat someone and I knew that it could change even on the 17th, so I was just trying to keep myself in the battle."

Gran Canaria 2021 R4

"There is always room for improvement. My game is trending the right way. I have been working hard and there are things I can get better at, so I will just take every week as it comes and see where my game goes."

"All of us dream to do things amazing. I spoke to Gary (Player) last night actually and he just said that there is no such thing as a lead and you should play like you are two behind, so that was nice from him and he has said it to me so many times, but I have never really had a lead, so I haven’t had to worry about that."

Higgo’s victory secured a South African double, with Brandon Stone having won the Limpopo Championship on the European Challenge Tour earlier in the day, and his birdie on 18 meant he also claimed the 500th win by a former Challenge Tour player on the European Tour.

Gran Canaria 2021 R4