Day four digest: 2022 ISPS Handa Championship in Spain 

Everything you need to know as the ISPS Championship in Spain reached a conclusion at Infinitum’s Lakes Course.

Pablo claimed his seventh DP World Tour title with his first victory on home soil as Adrian is denied his fourth success while groundkeepers earn their plaudits at the end of a weather-affected week.

Pablo in seventh heaven

Pablo Larrazábal continued his excellent form in 2022 to land a first DP World Tour title of his career in his native Spain. Last month, the 38-year-old won the MyGolfLife hosted by Pecanwood in South Africa, and he now holds an impressive seven overall. Larrazábal started the final round three shots off the lead, after the third round was completed on Sunday morning. After two birdies over his opening seven holes, the Spaniard sparkled around the turn in windy conditions as he made five consecutive birdies from the ninth, including a long-range birdie putt from the fringe at the 12th which earned him a share of the lead. Not even a bogey at the 15th – his first of the round – could derail his momentum as he holed a birdie putt from around 40 feet at the 16th and closed with a ninth gain to finish one clear of compatriot Adrian Otaegui. "The golf I played on those five holes was probably the best golf in a long, long time," the Spaniard said.

The title also moves Larrazábal up seven places in the DP World Tour Rankings to fourth, while his Official World Golf Ranking of 68th is his best since the KLM Open in 2014.

Otaegui’s title bid falls just short on 18th

Already a three-time winner on the DP World Tour, Adrian Otaegui came into the first of two back-to-back events in Spain with two top-five finishes, at the Ras al Khaimah Championship presented by Phoenix Capital and the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters respectively. Playing in the final three-ball, he began the final round in impressive fashion as he made three birdies in his first five holes as searched for his first title on home soil. The 29-year-old had a 25-foot eagle putt at the last to try and force a play-off but was forced to settle for a birdie and outright second place.

Li’s drive at 13 earns greenside plaudits

Haotong Li made easy work of the 339-yard par-four 13th as he hit his tee shot to around three feet before he duly rolled in the eagle putt. Such was the accuracy of the drive, the group waiting up ahead by the green were quick to offer their praise. Earlier in the round, the two-time DP World Tour winner had birdied his opening three holes to make it nine in succession on the back of his stunning finish to his third round On Saturday.

Praise for greenkeepers at end of testing week

The ISPS Handa Championship in Spain was weather affected over the opening three days, with Saturday’s play seeing four seasons in one days due to a combination of hailstorms, heavy rain, and the threat of lightning. With 17 groups still yet to conclude their third rounds on Sunday morning, there were no such obvious complications with the weather for the final round, but the players were faced with testing windy conditions.