Pedro Erice from Navarre has won the Spanish Junior Men's Individual Championship after a thrilling final round at Los Lagos Golf Club (Zaragoza), edging out his team by a single stroke. Jordi García Pinto from Girona, meanwhile, won the Under-18 category.

The wind hampered the final round for the 64 participants, increasing the pressure on the top contenders. So much so that Juan Francisco Sarasti from San Sebastián, who started the day as the leader, carded an 83, clearing the way for his rivals. Pedro Erice, who had surprised everyone the day before with a 66, took advantage of this situation to claim the title with a round of 77.

Following him by a single stroke, a quartet made up of Jesús Legarrea from Navarre, Gonzalo Berlín from León, Jordi García Pinto from Girona and Juan Francisco Sarasti himself settled into second position, with special mention for the Catalan, who was crowned champion in the Under-18 category.

The tournament was marked by the cancellation of the second scheduled round, Monday, April 2nd, due to heavy rainfall at the Zaragoza golf course. Thanks to the efficient work of the club staff, who had to use water trucks to remove the accumulated water, the greens and bunkers were in optimal condition for play on subsequent days.

Thus, Pedro Erice succeeds Xavi Puig of Barcelona in the Spanish Junior Championships. Puig, who also won in the Under-18 category in 2006, finished ninth this time. In 2005, in the Junior category, the victory went to Lluis García del Moral from Castellón, who prevailed in a thrilling playoff held in La Cañada against Rafael Cabrera from the Canary Islands, the previous year's winner.

The MAPFRE trophy, awarded to the first cadet ranked in 2007, went to Eric Carpintero from Catalonia.

FINAL CLASSIFICATION
1.- Pedro Erice 217 (74+66+77)
2.- Jesús Legarrea 218 (72+73+73)
+.- Gonzalo Berlin 218 (70+73+75)
+.- Jordi García Pinto 218 (69+72+77)
+.- Juan Francisco Sarasti 218 (68+67+83)