In the recent Volvo China Open, Dubai-based Spaniard Adrian Otaegui emerged victorious after an impressive final round of 65, overturning a five-shot deficit to win by one stroke on the DP World Tour. Despite a strong performance from Sebastian Söderberg, Otaegui’s flawless display and back-to-back birdies allowed him to take the lead at 18 under par. Söderberg, who was aiming for a wire-to-wire victory, faltered on Sunday and ultimately finished tied for third with Paul Waring and Joel Girrbach, behind runner-up Guido Migliozzi.
Following his win, Otaegui expressed his happiness and gratitude for the victory, stating that he tried not to focus on the leaderboard during the final round and instead focused on playing his best golf. This win marked Otaegui’s fifth tournament victory on the DP World Tour and propelled him to number 13 on the season-long Race to Dubai, while also earning him a significant winner’s cheque.
Additionally, Otaegui’s performance in the Asian Swing mini-Order of Merit, which included four events starting in March, saw him finish third behind Söderberg and Keita Nakajima. As a result, Otaegui, Söderberg, and Nakajima have qualified to play in the upcoming USPGA, the second Major of the year, held at Valhalla Golf Club. Söderberg also received a $200,000 bonus for topping the Asian Swing.
The final leaderboard for the Volvo China Open included Otaegui in first place with -198, followed by runner-up Migliozzi with -199, and Söderberg, Waring, and Girrbach tied for third with -200. Otaegui’s impressive performance and victory in China have solidified his position as a top contender on the DP World Tour and have set the stage for a promising season ahead.
