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November 01, 2007
Cabrera Makes it Four out of Five at Olivos
Buenos Aires, Argentina – Once again Angel Cabrera proved to be the Master at Olivos GC, as he won Argentina’s Torneo de Maestros for the fourth time in his last five tries. Competing at home for the first time since winning the US Open last June, Cabrera claimed the coveted “blue jacket” by defeating former European Tour champion Ricardo González in a playoff hole.
As usual at this time of the year, rain was a factor and the cause of several suspensions. Those annoying stops were long forgotten over the course of the exciting final round of the US $135,000 Tour de las Americas’ event organized by Golf Play, Fenix Entertainment Group and the host club.
After shooting 68-73-71 on the first 54 holes, Cabrera entered the final round trailing González by two strokes. The difference stayed at two until the 17th hole, a tough par-three with plenty of history. González missed the green and carded a bogey that cut his lead to one with the par-five 18th left to play.
Earlier in the day Cabrera had eagled that same hole, as he finished the third round. With that memory still fresh, the Cordoba native went back on the attack! His trademark drive off the 18th tee was followed by a superb 205-yard 6-iron to only two feet for eagle and a best of the final day 65. González ended up two-putting to settle for a birdie and a 67 that set the two-way tie at 7-under par 277.
In the overtime session - played back on 18 - both players reached the green in two. Facing a twenty-footer for eagle González went first and missed. His putt kissed the edge of the hole and stopped only two feet away. Inexplicably, he didn’t mark the ball and missed the short birdie putt to leave the door open for Cabrera, who two-putted for birdie and his fourth triumph at Olivos.
“It was a great win for me. The fans acknowledgement at the end was something very emotional for me. However, I have mixed feelings because Ricardo is a great player and he deserved to win as well,” commented the 38-year old Cabrera, whose other three wins he came in 1999, 2001 and 2005.
Four strokes behind the top-two stars at this event, the solo third spot was taken by Daniel Vancsik, winner of the European Tour’s 2007 Madeira Open. One stroke further back rookie Sebastián Saavedra completed the foursome finishing the week under par.
Amateur Federico Cabrera, one of Angel’s two sons, made noise by taking a piece of the sixth spot along with Eduardo Argiró at 1-over par. Right behind them, Germany’s Christoph Guenther turned out to be the best non Argentine as he took the solo eight.
The 2007 Tour de las Americas now heads to Viña del Mar, Chile, where the 81st Abierto de Chile is scheduled to start on Thursday.
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