Otaegui’s win inspired by fellow San Sebastian man Olazabal
Adrian Otaegui reckons he wouldn't have joined an exclusive club of Spanish golfers to win as professionals at the top level on Scottish soil if it hadn't been for fellow San Sebastian man Jose Maria Olazabal.
Otaegui's victory in the inaugural Scottish Championship at Fairmont St Andrews on Sunday saw him become just the third Spaniard to taste victory in Scotland on the European Tour.
Seve Ballesteros led the way when he won the 1984 Open Championship at St Andrews before Ra fa Cab re ra B el lo landed the Scottish Open at Dundonald Links in Ayrshire in 2017.
Otaegui is mentored by Olazabal and heaped praise on the two-time Masters champion as he reflected on ahis stunning four-shot victory over the Torrance Course at the Fife resort.
"We are both from San Sebastian, we come from the same area and I’ve been ver y lucky to know him for many, many years," said the 27-year- old, who opened with a 62 before closing with a 63 to claim his third European Tour title.
"He has been a massive inspiration for me and I also want to thank him today because I probably wouldn’t be the same without him.
"I just feel very lucky to be able to have practiced with Olazabal as a teenager and I’m sure I’m still using that knowledge these days."
Otaegui,w how on the British Boys' Championship at Kilmarnock( Bar assie) in 2010, has climbed to 25th in the Race to Dubai – one place above countryman Pablo Larrazábal - and is up to 157th in the world rankings after his weekend win.