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Alvaro Quiros wins in a playoff
Alvaro Quiros became the first local winner of the Spanish Open in eight years, winning on the first playoff hole Sunday after English rookie James Morrison pulled his approach shot into the water.
In the playoff at the 18th hole, Morrison pulled his approach into a lake guarding the green. Quiros only needed a par to pick up his fourth European Tour title and become the first Spaniard to win the tournament since Sergio Garcia in 2002.
“For me, it is a great thing to win the Spanish Open,” said Quiros, who collected a $440,295 winner’s check. “It is one of the most important goals in my career. It ranks alongside the Ryder Cup and World Cup of golf as the three things I want to win most.”
Morrison shot a 5-under 67 and Quiros hit a 70 in the final round for both to total 11-under 277 at the Real Club de Seville.
Mark Foster had led by three shots going into the final round, but the Englishman missed out on joining the playoff after three-putting the 18th to finish with a 74.
It was Morrison’s seventh appearance on the European Tour after graduating from the European Challenge Tour last year. Last month, he won the Madeira Islands Open.
Joining Foster at 10 under was Alejandro Canizares of Spain (68) and France’s Raphael Jacquelin (71).
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