Garrick Higgo rode a front-nine ace to a final-round 64 and a six-stroke victory at the 2021 Canary Islands Championship.
The win was the 21-year old South African’s second European Tour victory in three weeks and third in just 26 career starts.
On the three-stop Canary Island Swing, Higgo claimed bookend wins between countryman Dean Burmester‘s victory at the second stop, giving South Africa a clean sweep in Spain.
For the day, Higgo signed for a scorecard comprised by one eagle (ace) and seven birdies. The ace on No. 7 was sandwiched between two birdies on 6 and 8, which put separation between Higgo and the chasing pack.
“I was trying to shoot 30 under,” Higgo said.
“It’s unreal, I played so well today. I hit the ball very nicely so it was a lot less stressful than the last time because I was hitting it a lot better.
“I can’t believe it happened so quickly again but my game has been good so I can believe it as well.
“I’ve been working really hard, a lot of little things, and I’ve also accepted what works for me and stuck with that, I think that’s been a big thing, and not if I don’t play as well look for something. I’m just going to try and keep going.
“I think I can go as high as I want to, the way I’m playing I can do a lot of good things.”
Following a 65, Aussie Maverick Antcliff was a distant second at 21 under, one clear of Finn Tapio Pulkkanen (66) who was third on 20 under.
Home favorite, and halftime leader, Adri Arnaus (65), was tied with last week’s winner Dean Burmester (65), Dane Nicolai Hojgaard (66), England’s Andrew Johnston (67) and Irishman Niall Kearney who tied the course record with a 61. They were tied for fourth on 19 under.
Spaniard Alejandro del Rey (66), German Sebastian Heisele (63), and Finn Kalle Samooja (65) rounded out the top 10 at 18-under par.
2021 Canary Islands Championship
Top-10 Leaders: Final Round
Pos-Player-To Par-(Final Rd)
1. Garrick Higgo -27 (-7)
2. Maverick Antcliff -21 (-6)
3. Tapio Pulkkanen -20 (-5)
4. Niall Kearney -19 (-10)
4. Adri Arnaus -19 (-6)
4. Dean Burmester -19 (-6)
4. Nicolai Hojgaard -19 (-5)
4. Andrew Johnston -19 (-4)
9. Sebastian Heisele -18 (-8)
9. Kalle Samooja -18 (-6)
9. Alejandro del Rey -18 (-5)
Material from the European Tour Communications was used to compile this report.
