Julien Guerrier defeated Jorge Campillo in a record-equalling nine-hole play-off to claim an epic maiden victory at the Andalucia Masters in Spain.
In his 230th event, the 39-year-old Frenchman entered the final round at Real Club de Golf Sotogrande tied for the lead. The lead went back and forth between Guerrier and Campillo throughout the final round but it looked like Guerrier’s wait for a maiden triumph was set to continue. However, a 15-foot par-save on the last and two bogeys from the final fours holes for Campillo meant that both players ended the event on 21 under.
In remarkable circumstances, both players could not be separated in the first eight play-off holes despite Campillo squandering his chances to seal victory on the third, seventh, and eight extra holes. But it was the Frenchman who eventually edged out Campillo when the pair returned to the par-four 18th, the ninth play-off hole, to claim his first DP World Tour title.
The only other event in DP World Tour history that lasted nine play-off holes to secure a winner was the 1989 Dutch Open which saw Jose Maria Olazabal defeat both Ronan Rafferty and Roger Chapman. While consequently, Guerrier’s coach Raphael Jacquelin was also involved in a nine-hole play-off thriller in 2013 where he beat Maximillian Kieffer in the Spanish Open.
“I can’t believe it,” Guerrier said following his victory. “Jorge [Campillo] is a great player. I knew it would be really hard because his putting is amazing and also my iron game was not in good shape today.
“But my putting was really good so I was trying to do my best and I’m really, really happy. On the last putt I was thinking of my kids to give me the strength to hole it and I did so thanks to my family and my team. It’s been a long wait and I’m really happy.”
England’s Dan Brown claimed a T3 spot by ending the tournament on 19 under while there was a tie for fourth between England’s Jordan Smith and Denmark’s Rasmus Højgaard. Four-time major winner Jon Rahm finished alone in sixth on 17 under.
What is the next event?
The next event on the DP World Tour schedule is the Genesis Championship taking place between 24-27 October at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club in South Korea.