The premier tournament for Spanish golf professionals, part of the III TUMI Spain Golf Tour, required a playoff to determine its champion. Emilio Cuartero, the defending champion, faced off against Carlos Abril from Castellón, who staged a spectacular comeback after closing the final round with the best score of the week: an extraordinary 63 strokes (-9) that also set a new course record.
Abril signed a practically perfect round, with nine birdies and no bogeys, which allowed him to climb from twelfth position and reach a total of -13. Cuartero, who had started the day with a three-stroke advantage, maintained the lead for a good part of the round, but a bogey on the 16th hole, his only mistake of the day, definitively opened the door for the Castellón native.
The defending champion completed a solid round of 69 (-3), but couldn't contain Abril's extraordinary offensive. Both entered the clubhouse tied at -13, and the title had to be decided in a playoff on the 9th hole.
The playoff only needed one round. Carlos Abril prevailed on the first extra hole and was crowned the 2026 Spanish PGA Champion, capping off a memorable day marked by his course record.
The victory also marks Abril's first professional win on the National Circuit, and he could hardly have chosen a better stage to make his debut: the PGA Championship of Spain, one of the benchmark events of national professional golf.
His victory once again highlights the importance of having a competitive national circuit, which allows professionals to maintain a high level of play and continue their progression towards international circuits.
The New Sierra Golf event also made history. Since the PGA of Spain resumed its tour in 2016, the PGA Championship had not been decided by a playoff. On that occasion, Manu Ballesteros, nephew of Seve Ballesteros, defeated Sebastián García Rodríguez on the first extra hole at the Riocerezo course in Burgos, surrounded by numerous members of the Ballesteros family.
Alfonso Buendía and David Borda narrowly missed out on the playoffs, sharing third place at -12, just one stroke behind Abril and Cuartero. Both carded 67s. Buendía's chances were hampered by a bogey on the 8th hole, while Borda's only stumble came on the 2nd. Mario Galiano and Álvaro Morales tied for fifth place, both at -8.
The day also brought good news for Spain's up-and-coming golfers. Two amateur players made the cut, including Bruno Quinto, who delivered a standout performance and finished in nineteenth place.
Another highlight of the championship was the visit of the Murcian tennis player Carlos Alcaraz, a presence that added a special attraction to the day at New Sierra Golf.
The Order of Merit enters its decisive stage
The III TUMI PGA Spain Golf Tour is now entering the final stretch of the season. Pending the addition of points earned at New Sierra Golf, Mario Galiano leads the Order of Merit and will strengthen his position thanks to his fifth-place finish at the PGA of Spain Championship.
David Borda, second in the overall standings before this event and third in the tournament, will also gain a significant number of points. Meanwhile, Emilio Cuartero's runner-up finish will provide a major boost for the Catalan player, who currently holds third place in the rankings.
The José María Olazábal Order of Merit takes on special significance this season, as it will award seven invitations to compete in as many HotelPlanner Tour tournaments, further increasing the importance of each result in this final stretch of the circuit.
SOURCE: PGA of Spain
