The Korean Ben An was two shots behind the leader in the final round of the Genesis Championship, when on the 15th hole (par 5) he took a chance and hit one of the shots of the year to close the gap with Tom Kim. This was one of his three birdies on the final four holes that led him into a playoff with Kim that he would win.
But there was more at stake at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club in Korea this Sunday, as the regular DP World Tour schedule ended. Now come the final two tournaments, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the DP World Tour Championship. For the first, the top 70 of the Race to Dubai ranking enter and for the second, 50. The Spanish players in these positions are Ángel Hidalgo (21), Jorge Campillo (25), Nacho Elvira (30), Jon Rahm (34 ), Adrián Otaegui (35) and Alejandro del Rey (62).
Behind them, and with the card that grants full playing rights on the circuit for next season, are: Alfredo García-Heredia (72), Pablo Larrazábal (93), Iván Cantero (99) and Manuel Elvira (102 ). Without full rights, there are those who have finished below 114th place, such as Santiago Tarrío (118), Rafa Cabrera (127), Adri Arnaus (129) or Sebastián García (132), who, being so close to the starting point, court will not have many problems finding a place in most events.
The happy story of the day for our team was that of Iván Cantero, who started the tournament below the cutoff line of the Race -in 117th place-, but who knew how to calm his nerves to even take the lead on the first day. The Spaniard finally recorded four consecutive rounds under par (66, 70, 71, 69), finishing tied for sixth place and climbing into the ‘top 100’ in the Race to Dubai rankings.
“It was crazy. I played very solid all day. I was very nervous the first, second and third, but not so much today. Everything was under control. I’ve had a really good year and I’m very happy and the feeling is incredible “, summed up the Spaniard, who was sincere after finishing: “It is impossible to describe the nerves I have had throughout the week. Today was hard, because in my head the whole time was ‘failures, failures, failures’, but I played. very good”.
