Otaegui lands knockout blow in Belgium
What happened at the Belgian Knockout?
Adrian Otaegui claimed his second European Tour win at the Belgian Knockout as he defeated Benjamin Hebert at Rinkven International Golf Club.
The Spaniard played the nine-hole final in three-under-par to get the better of the Frenchman who could only manage one-under.
The triumph completed what has been an impressive run of form for Otaegui, who finished runner-up to Alexander Bjork in China last time out, and hasn’t finished outside of the top-20 in his last five starts.
After finishing eighth in the opening 36 holes of strokeplay, Otaegui breezed past Erik Van Rooyen, Maximilian Kieffer and Matthew Southgate to progress to the final day, and then defeated Jorge Campillo and David Drysdale to set up the finale against Hebert.
It was a cagey opening as both players made bogeys at the first, but Hebert took the lead on the second with a birdie. The turning point would prove to be the fourth hole, however, as the Spaniard skirted the water hazard with a tee-shot that sailed right, but hit his approach to tap-in distance for a birdie to draw level.
Otaegui then pulled away with three consecutive birdies from six to eight. Stepping on the final tee, he had a comfortable two-shot lead and Hebert was unable to cut the deficit.
Champion ?@adrianotaegui wins the Belgian Knockout, his second European Tour title.#BKO18 pic.twitter.com/WxVXVxHyr5
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) May 20, 2018
In the third-place playoff match, Scotland’s David Drysdale edged out England’s James Heath. It was a big match for both players, but it was particularly pertinent for Heath, who now qualifies for next week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. Prior to this week, he’s missed seven cuts in eight events, with a best finish of T72 in Morocco.
Talking point
Otaegui is now proving to be a bit of a matchplay specialist. Matthew Southgate gave him the biggest test on Saturday, but other than that, it proved to be fairly comfortable for the Spaniard.
Of course, the format this week at the Belgian Knockout wasn’t strictly matchplay – instead, it was a mixture between both matchplay and strokeplay with knockout matches and the usual strokeplay scoring.
With Otaegui’s first victory coming at the Paul Lawrie Match Play last year, it certainly seems that he’s a lot more comfortable playing formats that differ from the usual 72 holes of strokeplay.
Best moments
First kiss ? pic.twitter.com/UurgLNACo1
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) May 20, 2018
Massive.
Another birdie putt and Otaegui leads by two with one left.https://t.co/Sj1bUWNiL6 pic.twitter.com/aicBvTvAdo
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) May 20, 2018
Well played, David Drysdale ??
He wins the third place play-off against Heath. pic.twitter.com/2iFhdSUP4G
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) May 20, 2018
No letting up ??
Otaegui stays one clear, with two to play.https://t.co/Sj1bUWNiL6 pic.twitter.com/u66VuiGin5
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) May 20, 2018
Nerveless.
Otaegui moves one shot clear…https://t.co/FzteeFoNJ5 pic.twitter.com/3v5bsTZks7
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) May 20, 2018
1st shot – seriously lucky
2nd shot – seriously good— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) May 20, 2018
Worthy of a fist bump ?
Hebert strikes first to lead in the final.https://t.co/FzteeFoNJ5 pic.twitter.com/LVZfEnpiXg
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) May 20, 2018
Finishing in style@adrianotaegui reaches the final with a touch of class.#BKO18 pic.twitter.com/uBUDf9TgMY
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) May 20, 2018
See you in the final, @BenHebertGolf ?
The Frenchman beats Heath to make the final two.#BKO18 pic.twitter.com/r1VFKaZ4Tt
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) May 20, 2018
Catch him if you can.@adrianotaegui moves four shots clear with three to play ? pic.twitter.com/Tshybvw0yr
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) May 20, 2018
Oui, monsieur! ??
Hebert turns his semi-final on its head to lead Heath.https://t.co/FzteeFoNJ5 pic.twitter.com/Ae7Mzd0Hkh
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) May 20, 2018
So how much money does McIlroy actually have?
Drive it 300 yards every time – or never miss a putt inside six feet?
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Tom Irwin
Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.
