Spain’s Rafael Cabrera Bello posted a course-record 8-under 64 on Sunday, and edged England’s Callum Shinkwin in a playoff to win the 2017 Scottish Open at Dundonald Links.
Shinkwin appeared to be a lock to win his first European Tour title, but the 24-year-old muffed his chip shot on 18, and then left a 4-foot par-putt about two inches short.
It was Shinkwin’s only bogey of the day, and left him tied with the 33-year-old Spaniard at 13-under.
In the first playoff hole, Cabrera Bello hit a near-perfect approach to the par-5 18th, and two-putted for a birdie 4. Shinkwin had a chance to push the hole, but left his birdie putt just short, once again.
“I was very happy, I really gave it a go in the playoff and it worked out for me. I enjoy those pressure situations, they really define you,” said Cabrera-Bello.
The win is the third for Cabrera-Bello, and his first since 2012. Along with the trophy, and momentum heading into Royal Birkdale, the Spaniard took home a $1.1 million first place prize.
It was not a total loss for Shinkwin, as the runner-up finish secured a spot in next week’s British Open.
France’s Mattieu Pavon (66), who finished alone in third at 10-under, and Australia’s Andrew Dodt (73), who tied for fourth at 8-under, were the other two players to capture the Open invites.
Four others tied Dodt at 8-under, headlined by Ireland’s Padraig Harrington, who had a nice bounce-back round of 66 on Sunday, and American Matt Kuchar (69).
England’s Ian Poulter, who shared the overnight lead, struggled to a 74 and dropped to 7-under alongside a group of five others, including American Rickie Fowler (70).
Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell (72) finished at 5-under and will miss the British Open for the first time in his career.
The Champion’s Interview
"I played some of the best golf of my life today." pic.twitter.com/9xgnjQdPnB
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) July 16, 2017
Top 10
1 Rafael Cabrera Bello -13
2 Callum Shinkwin -13
3 Matthieu Pavon -10
T4 Padraig Harrington -8
T4 Matt Kuchar- 8
T4 Anthony Wall -8
T4 Ryan Fox -8
T4 Andrew Dodt -8
T9 Robert Rock -7
T9 Lee Slattery -7
T9 Soren Kjeldsen -7
T9 Rickie Fowler -7
T9 Andrew Sullivan -7
T9 Ian Poulter -7
Shot of the Day
Cabrera Bello with an absolute rope on his approach shot to the green in OT, setting up a two-putt for birdie, and the win.
After five long years.
Rafa Cabrera Bello wins the 2017 @AAMScottishOpen pic.twitter.com/smzokLNAwf
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) July 16, 2017
Quotable
“Today I had that little bit of luck I needed. Obviously I did everything I needed to do well. I stayed patient – one shot at a time, and I putted good. I really trusted myself… I really played the best golf of my life.”
–Rafael Cabrera Bello, Winner, 2017 Scottish Open
Credit: European Tour Communications
