Angel Cabrera of Argentina has been named The European Tour Golfer of the Month for May following his superb victory in the BMW Championship at Wentworth Club.
The 35 year old, who finished runner-up in the event in both 2001 and 2004, eventually made the breakthrough in the flagship tournament on The European Tour International Schedule with a 15 under par total of 273 to win by two shots from Ireland’’s Paul McGinley.
Cabrera was seven shots off the lead at the halfway stage but excellent weekend rounds of 66-67 over the West Course saw him surge to the title and the record first prize of €666,660 (£458,652).
Cabrera, who also finished tied for third place in the Nissan Irish Open in May, earned the panel’’s vote ahead of another strong list of contenders which included Welshman Stephen Dodd, who won in Ireland, to claim his second title of the 2005 season, following his victory in the Volvo China Open.
As he prepared to tee off in the US Open Championship at Pinehurst No.2 in North Carolina, Cabrera said: “I am thrilled to be named European Tour Golfer of the Month. Winning the BMW Championship was the best moment of my life, especially after twice coming so close to the title and missing out. This time I had my chance and took it. Even now, I am excited when I think about that walk up the final hole as the Champion.”
Other players whose achievements were noted by the selection panel included; Denmark’’s Thomas Björn, who claimed his eighth European Tour title when he won The Daily Telegraph Dunlop Masters; Fiji’’s Vijay Singh, who won the Wachovia Championship and was tied third in the EDS Byron Nelson Championship on the US PGA Tour; and England’’s Steve Webster, who claimed his maiden European Tour title when he won the Telecom Italia Open.
The Award is presented to a European Tour Member each month from January to December for his performance on The European Tour International Schedule and in worldwide competition, and at the end of the year the panel will select The European Tour Golfer of the Year.
Award winners already this year have been; England’’s Nick Dougherty (January), Thailand’’s Thongchai Jaidee (February), Ireland’’s Padraig Harrington (March), and Luke Donald of England (April).
