Sergio Garcia claims victory at Spanish Open

Posted 9:11AM on Monday 29th April 2002 ( 23 years ago )

LAS PALMAS - - Sergio Garcia shot a 1-over-par 73 Sunday for a four-stroke victory in the Spanish Open, his second victory of the year and first in Spain as a professional. Garcia, who won the season-opening Mercedes Championship in a playoff, had an eagle, three birdies, four bogeys and a double-bogey to finish at 13-under 275. "It's always great to win in your home country and it was what I had been looking forward to," said Garcia, who earned $258,000 for the victory. "It's just unfortunate I didn't play as well as I would have liked." Emanuele Canonica of Italy shot a final-round 72 and finished four strokes back at 9-under 279, one stroke better than Greg Owen of England, who closed with a 72. Rafael Cabrera, a 17-year-old Spanish amateur who played in the final group with Garcia, shot a 73 and finished tied for fourth place with Carl Pettersson of Sweden (72) at 281. Garcia extending his lead to seven strokes with a birdie and an eagle on the first two holes. The 22-year-old Spaniard lost five strokes in 11 holes, and led by just one stroke after the 13th. He finished his round with a bogey, two birdies and two pars for his eight career victory and fourth European Tour win. "I made a couple of bad swings but I did what I had to do," Garcia said. "I felt in control even if at one point it didn't look that way. I knew if I kept hitting good shots, and played smart and patient, everything would be fine. "When I needed to hit the ball well, I showed what I could do. A win is a win." U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen shot a 67 and finished in a tie for eighth place at 284.

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