Adrian Otaegui edged Benjamin Hebert by two shots in the final match to capture the 2018 Belgian Knockout at Rinkven International Golf Club.
After 36 holes of stroke play on Thursday and Friday, Otaegui and Hebert each finished at 5-under par, three shots off the lead.
The Spaniard Otaegui and the Frenchman Hebert then battled through five nine-hole knockout matches to reach the finals on Sunday.
Both started out with bogeys on No. 1, but Hebert edged ahead early with a birdie on No. 2. Otaegui, though, secured the title after reeling off a hat trick of birdies on Nos. 6, 7 and 8 to reach 3 under.
“I’m very happy, very relaxed now after the last nine holes against Ben that were very tight,” said Otaegui.
“I think we both played very good golf and I’m just very proud about my week. I just tried to play against myself.
“Obviously your opponent is just next to you but I just tried to focus on my game, stroke play, and so that’s what I tried to do.
“I’ve started pretty well for the moment. I’m just looking forward to focus on the Rolex Series next, some big events coming up and I just want to focus on that and there’s still a lot of season ahead.
“The season is still very long but I’m looking for Ryder Cup.”
Scotland’s David Drysdale finished third after finishing one shot clear of Englishman James Heath in the consolation match.
Tournament host, and the field’s top-ranked player, Thomas Pieters, got off to a slow start and never truly recovered. The 26-year old Belgian shot a 73 on Thursday, but followed it up with a 67 on Friday to make the weekend’s knockout stage. However, he was sent home in the first match by German Max Kiefer, losing by three shots.
The win is the second career title for Otaegui, who captured his maiden title at last season’s Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play.
For the victory, the 25-year old rising star earned € 166,660, which moves him to No. 14 in the Race to Dubai.
FINAL TOP 10
Quarter Finals:
James Heath (-3) Beat Nicolas Colsaerts (-2)
Benjamin Hebert (-1) Beat Mike Lorenzo-Vera (E)
Adrian Otaegui (-1) Beat Jorge Campillo (E)
David Drysdale (+2) Beat Victor Perez (+4)
Semi Finals:
Benjamin Hebert (-3) Beat James Heath (-2)
Adrian Otaegui (-3) Beat David Drysdale (+1)
Consolation:
David Drysdale (-1) Beat James Heath (E)
Finals:
Adrian Otaegui (-3) Beat Benjamin Hebert (-1)
Top 5 Money:
1 Adrian Otaegui (€ 166,660)
2 Benjamin Hebert (€ 111,110)
3 David Drysdale (€ 62,600)
4 James Heath (€ 50,000)
5 Jorge Campillo (€ 42,400)
VIDEO: TOP SHOT
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“I’ve started pretty well for the moment. I’m just looking forward to focus on the Rolex Series next, some big events coming up and I just want to focus on that and there’s still a lot of season ahead. The season is still very long but I’m looking for Ryder Cup.”
– Adrian Otaegui
