It’s unimaginable to depict the enjoyment that 26-year-old Angel Hidalgo should really feel proper now.
Three years in the past, he primarily performed on the Alps Tour, two ranges beneath the DP World Tour, and subsequently didn’t have the eligibility to qualify for and play within the Spanish Open. However he nonetheless determined to go to Madrid to look at Jon Rahm play from exterior the ropes. The chance to look at Rahm on his residence soil comes solely a few times a 12 months, so Hidalgo didn’t wish to miss this opportunity to see the perfect Spanish participant of his era.
Whereas watching Rahm then, he had his personal aspirations, hoping he would be a part of him on this stage sometime. He lastly did so. However he by no means may have imagined what transpired this week. Hidalgo defeated Rahm in a two-hole playoff to win the Spanish Open, marking his first DP World Tour title.
“Insane,” Hidalgo mentioned.
“Completely insane.”
It didn’t come simple.
Hidalgo slept on the 54-hole lead, holding a two-shot benefit over Rahm, the two-time main champion who doubles as among the best gamers on this planet. However it all got here all the way down to the 18th gap, the place Hidalgo nonetheless held a one-shot benefit. Rahm had simply birdied the par-3 seventeenth to chop the deficit to at least one, placing all of the stress on Hidalgo.
The ultimate gap at Membership de Campo Villa de Madrid measures solely 322 yards, that means each Hidalgo and Rahm may drive the inexperienced. After launching their drives across the placing floor, Rahm chipped his strategy to about six ft whereas Hidalgo knocked his to roughly 4 ft away. Being the world-class participant he’s, Rahm stepped up and drained his putt, which tied Hidalgo at 14-under. That set the stage for Hidalgo to attempt to win his nationwide open with a brief birdie attempt, however it was not meant to be in regulation. He hit a nervy stroke that didn’t sniff the outlet, and off to additional holes they went.
The DP World Tour despatched them again to the 18th tee for the primary playoff gap, which he and Rahm capitalized on. Each gamers made birdies, which included Hidalgo making a five-footer. His make reinstilled his confidence and erased the reminiscence of what transpired on the 72nd gap.
They then returned to the 18th tee for a second playoff gap. Hidalgo hit his drive into an excellent place simply off the inexperienced whereas Rahm missed nicely left, his ball nestling in a buried lie on a downhill slope. Rahm then chipped his ball over the inexperienced whereas Hidalgo knocked his chip 18 inches away, thus guaranteeing the victory.
“I used to be fairly relaxed all day, even the primary tee. I don’t know why,” Hidalgo mentioned after.
“Even once I missed the quick putt on gap 72, I used to be not discouraged that I stroked that unhealthy of a ball.”
He saved his composure and didn’t get discouraged. He operated the identical approach early on, too, when it seemed like David Puig may run away with it due to his scorching begin.
“To be trustworthy, on the eighth tee, I believed Puig was going to win the match by eight as a result of he was hitting superb, and Jon and myself made a number of errors,” Hidalgo mentioned.
“I performed a fairly good recreation, and fairly good recreation, and I stroked my putter nicely, so yeah, I’m joyful. And particularly with beating Jon, he’s most likely a very powerful participant within the final 20 years or 30 years in Spain.”
However it’s the folks and tales behind the participant that make these maiden underdog victories memorable and unbelievable.
Hidalgo devoted this win to his late Grandfather, who handed away a number of years in the past. He would have turned 80 years previous on Saturday, however he obtained a picture-perfect birthday current up in heaven from his grandson, who he’s little question smiling upon.
Hidalgo’s dad and mom additionally traveled to Madrid by practice on Sunday to look at their son compete among the many world’s greatest. His greatest buddy and coach did as nicely.
“Profitable at residence, profitable a Spanish Open with all of the help there was. You possibly can inform how a lot he felt it and the way vital it was for him,” Rahm mentioned of Hidalgo’s win.
“Might he study from these moments and luxuriate in them.”
It doesn’t get higher for Spanish golf than what occurred on Sunday. Rahm competed in opposition to and performed alongside two younger Spaniards within the last pairing of their nationwide open. It then went to a playoff, and David defeated Goliath, placing Hidalgo right into a joyful shock as tears streamed down his face.
Rahm, in the meantime, is aware of that feeling nicely, falling simply wanting a fourth Spanish Open title.
“I gave myself an opportunity to win, which is what I wished. I gave it my all till the top, and I’m pleased with myself,” Rahm mentioned.
“However having a last like this, regardless of who wins, helps these children who had been watching right here or on TV to wish to attempt taking part in golf to expertise moments like right now’s.”
Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By. Remember to take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You’ll be able to observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as nicely.
