Then, the Australian missed a connecting flight from New York to Japan for the DP World Tour’s ISPS Handa Championship. That one was on the weather gods in Florida, who provided some chaos for Herbert when trying to make the 7,000-mile journey from the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage in South Carolina to Japan. On top of it all, Herbert missed the Wednesday pro-am and was not able to see the Ishioka Golf Club course before the tournament.

Still, somehow, Herbert found himself in a playoff at the end of the week after shooting a final-round 67. He missed the fairway, by a lot, in the second playoff hole against Canada’s Aaron Cockerill, who shot a final-round 68. The pair was tied after regulation at 15-under.

But in those trees right of Ishioka’s 18th, Herbert found some luck. His ball had landed on the cart path, allowing him to take a free drop with a clear shot to the green.

A superb birdie on the second play-off hole to secure victory ?

Congratulations @lhgolf5 ?#ISPSHandaChampionship pic.twitter.com/56WThJKtw8

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) April 23, 2023

After a crafty recovery, Herbert had a birdie putt from close range, which he drained to secure his third career DP World Tour title.

“It feels pretty good,” Herbert said of his miraculous birdie to defeat Cockerill. “I hit that tee shot and thought that might be the end for us. To get it in close, it just felt like if I didn’t take that chance, it was going to fall away and potentially hurt me later. I knew I had to take advantage when I had it.”

Herbert began the final round on Sunday by making birdie from a fairway bunker on the first, before bagging an eagle on the par-5 fifth. He fell back into a share of the lead with bogeys on Nos. 8 and 11 but rebounded each time with birdies. Herbert negotiated a series of testing two-putts from long-range coming home, before leaving a birdie putt short on the 72nd hole that was for victory, relegating him into the playoff.

Having not seen the course before the tournament, Herbert credited his caddie, Nick Pugh, for scouting Ishioka, since he was able to arrive in Japan before Herbert.

“He’s one of the best caddies out here. He works so hard and this week is proof of that,” Herbert said. “He knew exactly what line to take off every tee and where to aim my approaches. I didn’t play a practice round at all. He deserves that [18th hole] flag he’s got over there.”

That winning feeling ?#ISPSHandaChampionship pic.twitter.com/AUZR3uAll4

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) April 23, 2023

Herbert’s third DP World Tour win follows victories at the 2020 Dubai Desert Classic and 2021 Irish Open. Later that year, he transitioned to the PGA Tour and won its Bermuda Championship. With the win in Japan, Herbert will rise to No. 42 on the OWGR and fourth in the Race to Dubai standings.

“It’s a real honour just to be back in Japan and win as well,” said Herbert, who is an ambassador for ISPS Handa, the tournament’s title sponsor. “I’ve come here so many times and loved it so to get back here and win, it means a lot. I think it’s cool to be able to win everywhere and have a lot of good memories from all the spots in the world where you have played.”

It was perhaps ironic that Herbert was awarded a green robe for his victory. While it may not completely make up for missing a chance to play for a green jacket earlier in the month, it did bring his hectic April to a nice close.

The post DP World Tour: From missing a chance to play for a green jacket, to winning a green robe, Lucas Herbert’s hectic April finally ends appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

But with a welcome respite of a few weeks away from the grind, it was local boy Pablo Larrazabal who prospered by claiming the inaugural ISPS Handa title just outside Tarragona.

There was a home-away-from-home comfort for Dubai’s Adrian Otaegui as he secured second spot behind his compatriot at the end of a torrid four days that were thrown into mayhem by the weather.

Larrazabal claimed his seventh DP World Tour title, and confirmed his return to form with a second win of the season in just four appearances this season. The Spaniard signed off in style as he birdied the final hole for a scorching 62 and a first win on home soil.

The 38-year-old, who won the MyGolfLife Open last month in South Africa, began the final round three strokes back at Infinitum — just outside Tarragona and one hour down the road from his home in Barcelona — and he catapulted himself into the mix courtesy of five successive birdies from the ninth.

Fellow Spaniard Otaegui and his two playing partners in the final group, Aaron Cockerill of Canada and South Africa’s Hennie Du Plessis, all remained in contention coming down the stretch having shared a three-way tie for the lead heading into the final round.

But Larrazabal’s 15-under total, after an eight-under final round, was enough to clinch a seventh Tour title – moving him alongside Jon Rahm, Alvaro Quiros and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano on the list of Spaniards with most wins, and making him the second multiple winner of the 2022 season after World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.

Dubai man Otaegui had an opportunity to force a play-off with an eagle chance at the last, but a birdie was only enough to finish one stroke back in second spot, with Cockerill and Du Plessis finishing a shot further back in a share of third on 13-under.

“What a day,” said Larrazabal. “But I knew that my golf was there. I couldn’t make any putts the first three days but I told my girlfriend last night that she had to choose my clothing for the (winning) pictures.

“I knew that I had a low one in my bag and that’s what I did. Today I holed putts and that was key. I mean, to shoot 62 in windy conditions with the flags out there, it was good.

“This weekend my physical trainer was here. My girlfriend and my brother are here, my friends from home are here. So it’s been quite emotional but I kept the nerves down and kept concentrated and I managed to finish the job, so I’m very happy.

“Today I found something on the putting green going in (ahead of the fourth round) and I knew that I had a low one. And I had to have a low one. I don’t play golf for positions, I play golf for trophies and I knew that 15-under was the number to catch.

“I’m glad I got the seventh title here at home. I live one hour and 15 minutes up the road and it’s very special to win in Spain, in front of a few friends of mine, and obviously in front of my girlfriend and my brother.

“So it’s not going to be the most emotional win in my career but it’s one of them.

“It’s been tough, the last three years, the last maybe five, six years.

“When your golf is not there and then injuries, and then these 20-year-old kids are coming in and they’re flying the ball 50, 60 yards over yours and you’re not putting well, you’re not chipping well. There are a lot of things coming into my mind.

“I thought a lot about not playing any more. And sometimes if you believe and you keep working hard, life gives you back and it’s been a long road. For the trust and for the work I did, and for the patience, I think I really deserve it.”

Otaegui was gracious in defeat and knows his time will come sooner rather than later.

“It’s been a great day, no bogeys, holed a few par putts, played really well, lots of shots to the pin,” he said. “I think I did a great job and congratulations to Pablo — that has been an amazing round. It was windy out there.

“I am really happy. Of course, over 72 holes there has been good, and not that good, shots but I think I did the right thing.

“I need to have some rest now and get ready for next week. I came in playing very well and this week I just played well, so I’m enjoying myself a lot at the moment.”

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The post Larrazabal edges Dubai’s Otaegui in a Spanish Armada at ISPS Handa on DP World Tour appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Matt Smith
Tapio Pulkkanen and Johannes Veerman took advantage of the afternoon conditions at Infinitum’s Lakes Course to share the clubhouse lead on a storm-hit firsrt day of the inaugural ISPS Handa Championship in Spain.

The DP World Tour finally reached Europe for the 2022 season on Thursday for the first of two back-to-back Spanish events, but heavy rain and thunderstorms meant the opening day was delayed for over two hours.

David Law of Scotland posted the low score from the early starters with a five-under 65, but the afternoon groups were treated to more benign and softy conditions and they took advantage before play was halted overnight due to darkness.

Dubai-based Spaniard Adrian Otaegui led the home charge to sit two behind the leaders on four-under, thanks to a six-birdie 66.

Both Pulkkanen and Veerman endured tough starts – with the Finn bogeying his opening hole, the 10th, and the American opening with back-to-back bogeys after teeing off at the first – but they both bounced back in style.

Veerman, a DP World Tour winner at last year’s Czech Masters, birdied six holes on the back nine to sign for a six-under 64, while Pulkkanen birdied two of his final three holes to move into a share of the overnight lead.

South Africa’s Hennie Du Plessis and SSP Chawrasia of India were also on six-under through 16 holes when bad light halted play, while Jack Senior carded a 65 late in the day to join Law on five-under.

“I had a pretty slow start, bogey-bogey, and I thought maybe this isn’t so good a day, but I made two more birdies coming in to make the turn and then I just lit it up on the back nine — putting really hot and hitting it really good,” said Veerman.

“This golf course, you have a couple of tough holes out here but you have a lot of wedges, so if you can put it in play off the tee — because the rough is so long — you can really get it close because you have short clubs in your hands. We’ll see how we go tomorrow but I’m going to go back, get to bed early and go again.

“I came through Qualifying School here in 2019 so I only have good memories about this golf course so it’s nice to come back and play well again. I lit it up in the last four rounds after making the cut on the number, so I have some really nice memories around here.”

Pulkkanen added: “I have played 50 rounds here before because my national team used to come and practise here, so it’s almost like a home course. I just hit it solid and made some putts.

“I think the greens softened up a lot after the rain so that made it easier. The greens on Tuesday were quite tough and then they were slower after the rain. The rough was wet so you want to be on the fairway but my driving was really good so I didn’t need to worry about the rough and that helped a lot.

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The post Pulkkanen and Veerman set the early pace, with Dubai’s Adrian Otaegui on the prowl appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The Spaniard burst on to the scene in 2008, bouncing around the fairways with a grin on his face and claiming the Open de France in his maiden season on the European Tour and winning Rookie of the Year. He has been a mainstay ever since, turning heads once again right here in the UAE when he claimed the 2014 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, holding off the might of Phil Mickelson and Rory McIroy to triumph.

He may be older and wiser now at 38, but that grin is still there as he looks to add the ISPS Handa Championship to his haul of titles this week in his home country of Spain.

The Spaniard has been in excellent form this year, winning his sixth DP World Tour title at the MyGolfLife Open in South Africa in March and followed that up with a T-5 at the Qatar Masters before a well-deserved three-week break.

Fully refreshed, Larrazabal is now ready to pick up where he left off during a four-week stretch in Europe, beginning with back-to-back events in Spain.

“I am ready to go,” he said ahead of the ISPS Handa’s debut on the DP World Tour. “I have been playing great, been practising great at home. There is nothing wrong with three weeks at home. To keep the momentum, you have to keep working and keep the routines going. That is all about preparation.”

After a disappointing 2021 campaign dropped him way down the OWGR standings, Larrazabal has certainly recaptured that form that made him the darling of the crowds over the past decade, climbing back up to No. 109 in the world (he was once as high as 53) and that familiar bounce has returned.

“As a professional golfer you have to realise that you are an entertainer,” he told DP World Tour. “You are a sportsman but mostly we are entertainers. The first year to 16 months of golf during the Covid-19 pandemic were tough. As I said to you, I am an entertainer of people, and we were not doing that. We played 16 months with no crowds and that didn’t help my golf, my attitude at all. To play for money is not the way I play golf nowadays.”

The Tour is back ?

It's #ISPSHandaChampionship week.

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) April 20, 2022

Now, despite growing up in nearby Barcelona, the 38-year-old is set for his first competitive round at Infinitum’s Lakes Course — venue of this week’s event.

“Today is my first nine holes out here,” he said after a debut practice on the course. “I came here four years ago to see a couple of friends on the last day of the Final Stage at Qualifying School. Those are my only two days at this course. But after nine holes you realise how good this golf course is and the conditions are brilliant. Hopefully the rain stays away from here so that we can see how good the work is of the groundsmen.”

Water is an undeniable feature of this week’s course in Tarragona, but that is not something that is set to faze Larrazabal.

“There are a lot of lakes, but you guys know me,” he said, that trademark grin creeping into view once again. “I have been on tour for 15 years; I didn’t come here for holidays and to make business you have to make birdies. Birdies are going to bring you trophies. That is why we came and that is how I play golf.”

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The post Home hope Pablo Larrazabal excited to entertain at ISPS Handa Championship in Spain appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Matt Smith
The DP World Tour gets rolling again with a double-header in Spain, beginning on Thursday with the ISPS Handa Championship in Tarragona. While East Asia has continued to suffer a lack of golf events due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, Spain — in this case — is definitely the beneficiary.

The latest addition to the calendar will be held at Infinitum Golf and was created to plug the gap created by the pandemic-enforced postponement of the tournament with the same name in Japan. It precedes the Catalunya Championship in Girona, which is another one-off event replacing the Volvo China Open.

So after a few weeks off and a jaunt to the Masters at Augusta National for the top players on the DP World Tour, it is a timely return to Spain to mark the 50th anniversary of the tour back where it all began.

The European Tour, as it was then known, started with the 1972 Spanish Open at Club Golf de Pals in Girona, where home stars Antonio Garrido and a certain Seve Ballesteros began the revolution of European golf.

Just like that first Spanish Open, the 2022 Catalunya Championship will also be held in Girona at the PGA Catalunya Golf and Wellness and help uphold a tradition that has seen Spain become a mainstay on the tour and a production line for some of the world’s best golfers.

But first up is the ISPS Handa Championship in Tarragona, where a whole host of stars will be chasing the $2 million purse and looking to be the first to get their name engraved on the inaugural trophy.

With no defending champion, it will be tough to select the favourites, but the likes of high-flying Austrian Bernd Wiesberger and Dane Thorbjorn Olesen will be leading a pack of homegrown talents in the shape of Dubai-based pair Adrian Otaegui and Adri Arnaus, Pablo Larrazabal — who already has a win on tour this season in South Africa — Jorge Campillo, Nacho Elvira and Alejandro Canizares.

Bernd Wiesberger

A host of champions on tour heading to Spain be familiar to Middle East golf fans. Scotland’s Ewen Ferguson, who claimed his maiden professional title at the recent Qatar Masters, will join Ras Al Khaimah’s two champions on the UAE Swing, Ryan Fox and Nicolai Hojgaard.

The Dane will liven up the party alongside twin brother Rasmus, and leading DP World Tour players also in the line-up include the likes of Alexander Bjork, Jamie Donaldson, Laurie Canter, James Morrison, Andy Sullivan, Matthew Jordan, Joost Luiten, Chris Paisley, Ross Fisher and Soren Kjeldsen.

Larrazabal, who won his sixth DP World Tour title at the MyGolfLife Open in March, will certainly be one to watch, while Ferguson will fancy his chances now he has a taste for victory after some near-misses.

The Infinitum Resort in Tarragona has been home to the final stage of DP World Tour Q School in recent years and that could help Canizares, who has a first and third over the Lakes Course in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

From the big guns, former Ryder Cup player and world No. 78 Wiesberger will be keen to get his season on track after no top-10 finishes from his five starts this season.

The Hojgaard twins can be unpredictable, but both have DP World Tour titles in the bag and will certainly produce fireworks. You can expect to see at least one of their names on the leaderboard at some point.

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The post DP World Tour heads back to where it all began in Spain for 50th Anniversary celebrations appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.