Adri Arnaus and Oliver Bekker became real familiar with the 18th hole at the 2022 Catalunya Championship.
The pair played the final hole at the Stadium Course at PGA Catalunya Golf and Wellness in Girona, Spain, seven times on Sunday after a marathon six-hole playoff. Each player made par on the 18th during the first five extra holes, and after a Bekker bogey on the sixth time through, Arnaus made a three-footer for another par to win for the first time on the DP World Tour. Not only that, the Spaniard did it in front of his home crowd.
“I just tried to be so much in the present today and in the playoff, and it’s been a long playoff,” said Arnaus, who lost his first two playoffs on tour and previously had five runner-up finishes, two coming in Spain.
“I love the fans so much, they came to support and from Monday to Sunday it’s been an amazing week,” added Arnaus. “In the Open de España we were close, in a playoff as well, and this time again in a playoff and we made it so I’m super happy.”
What it means to win your first Tour title
@AdriArnaus | #CatalunyaChampionship pic.twitter.com/hpoAhtDPUS
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) May 1, 2022
The 27-year-old shot a 7-under 65 in the final round with five birdies and an eagle on the par-5 12th to finish tied with Bekker at 11 under and force a playoff. Richard McEvoy, Adrian Meronk and Laurie Canter finished T-3 at 9 under.