Yurav Premlall storms to memorable win at the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship
Yurav Premlall stormed to a stunning victory as he claimed his maiden DP World Tour win at the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship with a score of 28 under par, 14 strokes ahead of his compatriot Shaun Norris and 15 ahead of Alejandro del Rey, the top-placed Spaniard at the Real Club de Golf El Prat.
No one could keep up with the South African, who played flawlessly over the weekend, as reflected in some of his performance figures: 20 birdies and just one bogey. It would have been enough for him to play the final 36 holes to win the tournament by four strokes.
Premlall’s result sets a record for the largest margin of victory over the runner-up on the DP World Tour, surpassed only by the 15-stroke margin achieved by Tiger Woods at the 2000 US Open.
Behind Tiger, the most crushing victories to date were Ernie Els’s 13-stroke win at the 2005 BMW Asian Open, Retief Goosen’s victory at the 2002 Johnnie Walker Classic, also by 13 strokes, Tiger’s victory at the 1997 Masters by 12 strokes, and Charl Schwartzel’s victory at the 2013 Alfred Dunhill Championship (played in December 2012), also by 12 strokes.
The South African was unrivalled on the final day of the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship, where he repeated the previous day’s 63 (-9), a course record. With this victory, he climbs to 26th place in the Race to Dubai and moves from 598th to 244th in the world rankings.
“No words. I’ve worked so hard to get into this position and it’s so rewarding to finally see the results of it,” said Premlall.
“The last eight, nine months have been such a struggle just to build myself onto a platform where I know I could give myself a chance to win and to end up obviously in this position. I’m just so grateful so it’s a dream come true.”
The Spanish players put in a standout performance with three players in the top 10: Alejandro del Rey, tied for third at 13 under par, Rafa Cabrera Bello, tied for sixth (-12), and Eugenio Chacarra, tied for tenth (-11).
Del Rey carded a final round of 68 (-4) to round off a remarkable tournament.
“It’s been one of the most complete weekends of the last few months. I’d been a bit off form for a while, but I played very solidly. I felt I had to stay very focused out there on every shot.”
“This course didn’t particularly appeal to me, nor did it suit my game entirely, but I’ve achieved a good result, which shows I’m playing well. It was a good time to make the most of it on a course where, perhaps, in another week of the year, I wouldn’t have felt I could do well.”
With a round of 66 (-6), Rafa Cabrera Bello rediscovered the best form of his career.
“I’ve played very well all week but today was a step up. From tee to green I played practically perfectly.”
“I think I hit all 14 fairways, spot on. And then on the greens, it was as if I’d hit all 18. A few putts went in, but I was constantly setting myself up for birdies.”
“It’s been one of my best rounds in a long time. In Ireland last year I probably putted better and was a bit sharper around the greens, but today from tee to green, I’ve never played better,” concluded the Gran Canaria native.
Eugenio Chacarra had another positive week and bid farewell to El Prat with a round of 70.
“I’m leaving happy. I’ve had five very good weeks, and my game is in great shape. Now it’s time to rest for a week and prepare for Belgium as best I can.”
“I still get a bit nervous when there’s pressure on the putt. You could see I’m still struggling with it, but the important thing is to admit it and keep working on it. Although today wasn’t a great day with the putter, it was better than three or four months ago.”
Among the other Spaniards who made the cut, Iván Cantero stood out in 17th place (-9), followed by Alfredo García Heredia, Jorge Campillo and Nacho Elvira tied for 25th, Rocco Repetto and Adri Arnaus (54th); and Quim Vidal and Ángel Hidalgo (59th).
INSIDE THE ROPES
Fifth South African victory of the season
With Yurav Premlall’s victory, South African golf has secured its fifth title this season on the DP World Tour. The previous four came consecutively for Jayden Schaper (Alfred Dunhill Championship and AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open) and Casey Jarvis (Magical Kenya Open presented by Absa and Investec South Africa Open Championship).
Premlall secures South Africa’s 181st title in the history of the DP World Tour and tops the European Swing rankings.
A lovely Mother’s Day gift in South Africa
Mother’s Day is celebrated in South Africa on 10 May, and Yurav Premlall, after collecting the trophy, dedicated the victory to his mum. “Happy Mother’s Day, Mum!” he said.
He also had words of thanks for his dad and the rest of the team.
“There isn’t much I can say. My whole team, everyone who supports me, my whole family… it’s very rewarding to be up here and to be able to thank everyone for being part of this journey.”
The Spaniards are gaining ground in the Race to Dubai
The excellent performances by Alejandro del Rey, Rafa Cabrera Bello and Eugenio Chacarra at the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship have had an immediate impact on the Race to Dubai standings and are testament to the fine form of Spanish golf on the DP World Tour. Following the tournament at El Prat, there are seven Spaniards in the top 50: David Puig (12th), Eugenio Chacarra (16th), Nacho Elvira (17th), Jorge Campillo (20th), Ángel Ayora (22nd), Alejandro del Rey (37th) and Rafa Cabrera Bello (46th).
The Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship, a DP World Tour tournament included in the Race to Dubai as the first event of the European Swing, is held thanks to the essential collaboration of the Real Club de Golf El Prat. It is sponsored by Estrella Damm and will kick off the Road to 2031 Ryder Cup, a journey that will end at the 2031 Ryder Cup to be held at Camiral.