Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
‘Overdue’ success for Rafael
SPAIN’S Rafael Cabrera Bello claimed an overdue first victory since 2012 by beating England’s Callum Shinkwin in a play-off after a dramatic finish to the Scottish Open at Dundonald Links.
Shinkwin had looked set for his maiden European Tour title and the first prize of £898,000, only to fluff his chip to the 18th i n regulation and then leave a putt to win the £5.4 million event short from just four feet.
The pair returned to the 18th for sudden death and Cabrera Bello, whose closing 64 had set a new course record, produced a stunning approach to the par five from 275 yards to set up a two-putt birdie.
Shinkwin’s approach had finished in an almost identical place as it had on the 72nd hole and, after pitching over a bunker to seven feet, the 24-year-old again hit a tentative putt which came up short.
“Obviously I’m extremely happy,” said Cabrera Bello.
“I’ve won before and I have been up there so many, many times and things have not really worked out for myself.
“I was starting to feel a little pressure every time I was up there contending.
“I truly believed it could be my day. I just tried to stay one shot at a time, just waiting for things to come to me and obviously I’m very pleased with the entire week.
“Winning again, it’s an unbelievable feeling.
“I think I was overdue. I’m very happy to have gotten t hat t hird win, finally.
“I feel I played some of the best golf of my life.”