December 10, 2007

Ruiz shocks Cabrera to win in Argentina

By www.europeantour.com

Ruiz – godson of one of Argentina’s most celebrated golfers of the past Vicente Fernandez – started the final round two shots behind the reigning US Open Champion and was expected by most people in the crowd at the Buenos Aires Golf Club to remain in that position as Cabrera strolled to the title.

But the man from Asuncion, who celebrated his 33rd birthday a week ago, obviously did not read that version of the script and instead gave himself the perfect belated gift with a final round 69 for a winning five under par total of 275 to claim the €22,692 (£16,205) first prize which moved him top of the 2008 Challenge Tour Rankings.

“I didn’t expect to win,” admitted Ruiz. “Cabrera was the huge favourite and the pressure was obviously on him. That allowed me to relax and focus on my game and because of that, a dream has come true for me today.”

Just as earlier in the day in South Africa when Ernie Els collapsed on the final hole to lose the Alfred Dunhill Championship, Cabrera endured a disaster of his own in the closing stages to slip back into a share of third place as fellow countryman Daniel Vancsik took second.

Approaching the closing stages Ruiz moved to five under par for the tournament and into a one shot lead over Cabrera with back-to-back birdies at the 15th and 16th but even then, the 38 year old Argentine was still favourite to take the title having been runner-up in the tournament in the past two seasons.

However, the danger signs were there for Cabrera. Having started the week with an excellent 66, his scores had steadily worsened as he added rounds of 68 and 70 and in the third round he had carded a double bogey six on the 17th.

Surely it could not be that bad again for the man who had held off the challenge of Tiger Woods and Jim Fuyrk at Oakmont Country Club in July? Sadly, however, it was, and indeed is was worse as this time he posted a triple bogey seven at the hole and followed it with a bogey five at the last.

It gave Cabrera a closing round of six over par 76 and saw him slip back into a share of third place on level par 280 with his close friend and mentor Eduardo Romero (72), Italian Lorenzo Gagli (69) and Brazil’s Alexandre Rocha (70).

Keeping his head admirably while Cabrera was floundering, Ruiz carded two par figures to finish to be home in 34 for 69 to give him the biggest moment in his professional life since he flirted with the lead in the first two rounds of The Open Championship at Royal St George’s in 2003.

“I was unable to find my rhythm all day long,” said Cabrera. “I started badly and when I decided to take risks, I missed.”

In the penultimate group, Daniel Vancsik, who claimed his maiden European Tour title in March when he romped to a seven shot victory in the Madeira Islands Open BPI at Santo da Serra, compiled a solid final round of 69 to take second place on three under par 277.

The 30 year old Argentine reached the turn in 34 and birdies at the 11th and 16th moved him to within a shot of Ruiz playing the last. However, any realistic hope he had of forcing a play-off ended when he bogeyed the 429 yard 18th and he had to settle for second place and a cheque for €15,128 (£10,803).

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