Cabrera Bello ends wait for tour win
Rafael Cabrera Bello ended a five-year wait for a European Tour win after holding his nerve to beat Callum Shinkwin in the Scottish Open play-off.
England’s Shinkwin was on course for his first tour win and the £900,000 prize cheque, but fluffed his chip to the 18th and couldn’t sink his subsequent putt.
That saw Shinkwin and Cabrera Bello return to the 18th for a sudden-death play-off and the latter’s stunning approach set up a two-putt birdie.
Shinkwin again hit a nervy putt and it was the Spaniard who claimed the title after earlier setting a new course record at Dundonald Links with a 64.
“I have been fighting for this win for many years,” said Cabrera Bello.
“Sometimes I did mistakes, sometimes it didn’t work out for me. This is unbelievable.”
Cabrera Bello was four shots off the lead at the start of the day, but he was able to pile the pressure on Shinkwin with birdies on 12, 14, 17 and 18.
That challenge eventually took its toll on Shinkwin, who critically dropped his only shot of the day on the 18th.
"Under the gun, I didn’t miss a shot until the last hole,” said Shinkwin.
"I learnt I can compete with the best.”
The consolation for Shinkwin is that he has earned a spot at next week’s Open Championship.
Third placed Matthieu Pavon also qualifies for Royal Birkdale, as does Australia’s Andrew Dodt.
Latest
-
NewsMatt Wallace out to show Padraig Harrington his desire to make Ryder Cup team
Wallace was overlooked for a wild card in 2018 despite winning for the third time in 15 starts.
-
NewsCollin Morikawa to reassess his goals after winning The Open at first attempt
The 24-year-old American has already won two majors.
-
NewsThe Open day four: Halfway to a career grand slam two years after turning pro
Collin Morikawa has added the Open to the US PGA, both of them won on tournament debut.
-
NewsCollin Morikawa eager to savour taste of success after debut Open triumph
The American became only the second person after Tiger Woods to win the Open and US PGA before the age of 25.
-
NewsCollin Morikawa admits magnitude of historic Open victory is ‘hard to take in’
The 24-year-old is the first player to win two different majors at their first attempt.
-
NewsThe Open day four: Collin Morikawa holds off the challenge of Jordan Spieth
The American held his nerve to create history in the 149th Open at a sun-drenched Royal St George’s.
-
NewsJordan Spieth rues a couple of ‘dumb mistakes’ which cost him a shot at title
The 2017 Open champion finished runner-up to Collin Morikawa.
-
News5 things you may not know about Open winner Collin Morikawa
The American came close to equalling one of Tiger Woods’ records.
-
NewsAmerican Collin Morikawa seals thrilling two-shot victory on Open debut
The 2020 US PGA champion held his nerve superbly on the closing stretch to become the first player to win two different majors at their first attempt.