acciona Open de España presented by Madrid - Day four digest

Everything you need to know from Sunday at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid.

Home favourite Jon Rahm emulated his hero Seve Ballesteros, countrymen Alfredo Garcia-Heredia and Luis Masaveu had reasons of their own to celebrate and Frenchman Matthieu Pavon finished quickly to all but punch his Dubai ticket on the final day of the 2022 acciona Open de España presented by Madrid.

Here is everything you need to know from Sunday at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid. 

Rahm matches Seve feat on home soil

Mission accomplished for Jon Rahm on his return to his national Open. The former World Number One was the headline act in Spain, and he delivered in front of an adoring home crowd as he emulated the great Seve Ballesteros as a three-time winner in the modern era. Despite only starting the final day with a one-shot lead, a masterful closing round of nine-under 62, which included an eagle and eight birdies, saw the 2021 U.S. Open Champion outclass the rest of the field to claim a six-shot victory. "You might need to ask me in a few days as I will take quite a while to process this thing," Rahm said of matching Ballesteros, who won the last of his 50 titles on the Tour at this event in 1995. "Seve is a great hero of mine and to do something it took him his whole career to do in just a few years is quite humbling. With his victory – his second worldwide this year – Rahm climbs to tenth in the DP World Tour Rankings in Partnership with Rolex, from sixth to fifth in the Official World Golf Rankings and to the top of the European Ryder Cup Points List.

A shot befitting a champion

There were many moments of brilliance during the tournament from Rahm, but his second shot at the par-five 14th in the final round was the best of the lot. A flagstick away from an albatross…

Patience is rewarded for Alfredo

Away from Rahm’s fireworks, there were other performances of note by the Spanish contingent on show. Alfredo Garcia-Heredia was one of 29 home players who took their place in this week’s field, and his T6 finish could prove pivotal in helping to secure his Tour card for next season. Coming into the event 129th in the DP World Tour Rankings and seeking a strong end to the season, the 40-year-old needed a big week. A bogey-free 64 on Sunday saw him climb 16 places on the leaderboard and, more importantly, to 114th on the season-long rankings. But there is still work to be done over the remaining few events to ensure he retains his full playing privileges for next season.

Luis claims low amateur honours

Amateur Luis Masaveu might have arrived in the Spanish capital as an unknown quantity but over the course of the past four days he has provided plenty of reasons to suggest he is a player to look out for in the years to come. The 19-year-old, competing in his maiden event on the DP World Tour, finished the tournament at seven under after a closing 73 to end the week one shot better off than fellow amateur and countryman Quim Vidal.

Pavon enjoys career-best result on Tour

As we move towards the conclusion of the season, focus hones in on those who are playing to retain their Tour cards and those vying to finish in the top 50 in the season-long rankings. Frenchman Matthieu Pavon did his bid to reach the season-ending DP World Tour Championship the world of good as he closed out an excellent week with a blemish-free 66. Two birdies in his final three holes saw the 2016 Challenge Tour Graduate edge out playing partner Min Woo Lee to claim solo second – his best finish on the DP World Tour. The result lifts Pavon 22 places up the DP World Tour Rankings to 32, with Victor Perez 14 places higher up in the battle to finish as France’s Number One this season.