Ricardo Gonzalez became just the fourth Argentinian ever to win on the PGA Tour Champions in Morocco.
Ricardo Gonzalez, hailing from Argentina, showcased his resilience in the final round of the PGA Tour Champions’ Trophy Hassan II, finishing three-under par and securing victory by a narrow margin.
Prior to this triumph, Gonzalez had an impressive career as a former European Tour player, clinching four titles and achieving a commendable T10 finish at the prestigious 2002 PGA Championship. Additionally, he proudly represented Argentina in the World Cup on four separate occasions, participating in 1996, 1998, 2005, and 2007.
Although the return of two-time Major champion Angel Cabrera after his release from prison garnered significant attention, it was Gonzalez who made history at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, delighting not only golf enthusiasts but also his fellow South Americans.
In his 14th start on the PGA Tour champions, Gonzalez showcased his skills with rounds of 69 and 70, earning him a share of the lead alongside Y.E. Yang for the final day. With determination and finesse, he emerged victorious, becoming only the fourth Argentinian to secure a title on this prestigious tour.
After completing his round, Gonzalez expressed his contentment, joy, and overwhelming emotions in an interview with NBC Sports. He acknowledged the hard work he had put in to reach this point and proudly claimed the trophy as his own.
While Yang couldn’t maintain his position at the top, Gonzalez faced a formidable challenge from Thomas Bjorn, the former Team Europe Ryder Cup captain. Despite starting the day at five-under, the Danish golfer delivered an impressive final round of four-under. However, he fell just short by one shot, unable to secure another birdie.
On X, Bjorn extended his congratulations to Gonzalez for his victory. Bjorn expressed, “There are times when you simply have to acknowledge the skill… Well done Ricardo Gonzales. Fell short this time, but I will persist. Thank you @ChampionsTour for the opportunity. I am sincerely grateful to Prince Moulay Rachid of Morocco for inviting me to participate. Morocco, you have been exceptional.
In the meantime, Cabrera’s return to the PGA Tour Champions concluded with a respectable T27 finish at two-over for the tournament.
Cabrera, who ended up tied with Colin Montgomerie and Jose Maria Olazabal, faced a challenging Thursday in Rabat with a score of 79. However, the 2009 Masters champion made a strong comeback and showed improvement throughout the week with rounds of 72 and 70.
Cabrera, who holds a Handicap 54 on X, will be making his way back to his home country to participate in the Visa Argentina Open (Feb 29-Mar 3). This prestigious event grants the winner a spot at The Open Championship.
Although Cabrera hasn’t competed at The Open since 2014, where he achieved a T19 result, he might be optimistic about his prospects of returning to the UK. This optimism stems from his previous triumphs at the Argentina Open, having emerged victorious three times before (in 2001, 2002, and 2012).
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