RAS AL KHAIMAH, United Arab Emirates — Spanish golfer Alejandro del Rey won his first European Tour title in impressive fashion by shooting a third straight 6-under 66 to win the Ras Al Khaimah Championship by four strokes on Sunday.
Del Rey, ranked No. 308, finished the week at 22-under par to win in his 70th start on tour.
After hitting the putt on No. 18 for the fifth straight to close out his final round, Del Rey was covered in water after many of his countrymen rushed to the green.
His last top-10 finish was in March at the Singapore Classic, where he finished seventh.
“I got to a point last year where I just felt like I wasn’t that happy on the golf course because for me, playing 20, 30 didn’t mean anything at that time,” said Del Rey, 26. . “I’ve just been working hard since then because I didn’t want to be in that position for a long time. And I feel like I’ve played for many years with many friends who have been successful here, and I knew I could make it. I did it but he just didn’t show up.”
Del Rey was bogey-free over the weekend at Al Hamra Golf Club.
He started the final round with a two-shot lead, stretched it to five shots with birdies on Nos. 1, 2 and 5, and was even six clear after three straight birdies from No. 11. He then smoothed his way home to easily overtake second-place Marcus Armitage, the leader after the first two rounds. .
England’s Armitage (68) was 18 under this week, while Spain’s David Puig (65) was third at 15 under.
“I’m grateful and I’m so happy that this is finally here,” Del Rey said. “I’ve always felt that I’m very close to golf tournaments. It just felt good today, it felt natural and very easy.”
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