Cabrera builds momentum for British Open
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, West Virginia — Angel Cabrera has some much-needed momentum heading to the British Open in his quest for a title in a third different major.
Cabrera ended a five-year drought on the U.S. PGA Tour and became its oldest winner this season, closing with his second straight 6-under 64 at the Greenbrier Classic to beat George McNeill by two strokes Sunday.
The 44-year-old Cabrera made good on his first visit to the historic venue in West Virginia that has put many players at ease with its laid-back environment and mountain views which the Argentine said reminded him of his home club in Cordoba.
“I had been told by my friends that this was a great place, a great golf course,” Cabrera said.
One that gave him his first non-major win on the tour, to go along with the 2007 U.S. Open and 2009 Masters.
“After the 2009 Masters victory, I haven’t been too consistent,” Cabrera said. “But I’ve been working very hard of late to get back to where I think I should be.”
With a combination of 330-yard drives, bold iron play and clutch putts, Cabrera finished with four rounds in the 60s for the first time since the 2010 Deutsche Bank Championship.
“I’ve been confident with my golf swing, and I feel confident mentally,” Cabrera said. Entering the British Open, “I’m just going to go over there and play, and it’s a very important tournament and it’s a different tournament, but I’m going to go play.”
Cabrera, who didn’t even have a top-10 finish previously this season, finished at 16-under 264. He won $1.17 million and improved from 158th to 54th in the FedEx Cup standings.
“I wanted it. I needed to win a tournament,” Cabrera said. “I felt under control today out there, and I didn’t want to let it get away from me.”