You couldn't ask for more from a golf tournament: excitement throughout the standings right up to the final holes, the crowd captivated by the high level of golf on display this week at Golf Ciudad Real, and to top it all off, a spontaneous tribute to José María Buendía, father of the tournament winner and a legend of Spanish golf, who caddied for his son in the final round and received a standing ovation from his fellow players. A fitting tribute to a lifetime dedicated to golf.

The star of the competition was Alfonso Buendía, who, with a steady hand and controlled golf, won the III Ciudad Real PGA Open of Spain, the third tournament of the TUMI Spain Golf Tour. The tournament was played at Golf Ciudad Real under the modified Stableford format (which adds and subtracts points per hole), encouraging a more aggressive style of play and producing more spectacular results. This format proved very popular with the professionals.

“It has been very exciting to be able to share this victory with a legend of Spanish golf like my father,” commented an emotional Alfonso Buendía.

And so it was with this last exciting and thrilling final day. A constant change of leader throughout the round, with brilliant shots, such as Juan Salama's two almost consecutive eagles, which saw him come from behind (near 20th place) to take the provisional lead. A very tight standings suggested a possible playoff, but in the end, Alfonso Buendía, with a total of 35 points and a conservative round, took the victory. His second professional win on the national circuit adds to his PGA Gaudí Golf Championship, held in 2021, in the midst of the post-pandemic period, part of the Seve Ballesteros PGA Spain Golf Tour.,

Alfonso Buendía started tentatively, with two birdies and two bogeys in the first eight holes, keeping his nerves in check, although he was not fully aware of what was happening behind him.

“This format sometimes makes you forget about the score, about adding or subtracting, and allows you to focus more on your game,” he commented. “This victory means a lot to me. It’s been two years since the last time, when my father was also caddying for me. And just like the first time, I dedicate it to my late grandfather,” added Alfonso, who was finally breathing a sigh of relief as he saw that all the hard work and effort over these two years had paid off, especially since Alfonso had opted out of playing in an international tournament to compete in Ciudad Real. “I preferred to come and support the PGA on this great circuit that is becoming increasingly established. And being in Spain, in Ciudad Real, on this great course that welcomes us so warmly, with this high level of golf among my fellow players and with a prize purse that keeps growing, is an invaluable privilege,” added the winner.

Fans following the live results were also thrilled by the dynamic standings and, in particular, by Juan Salama's comeback, who climbed positions with "seven-league boots".

He started his round with three consecutive birdies (5, 6, and 7) and at the beginning of the back nine, he carded two eagles (10 and 12), climbing from 20th place to the top of the leaderboard. He finished with two birdies and a bogey for 18 points, delivering by far the best score of the day.

“There are 18 holes left and I have to finish the job,” Buendía commented the day before, and that's exactly what he did, finishing with three birdies and a bogey, adding the final 35 points to his scoreboard that gave him the victory. Working on his putting with his father these past few weeks, the aspect of his game he felt most uncomfortable with, has paid off.

Juan Salama scored two points less, finishing second with 33 points. Third place went to Vicente Blázquez and Jorge García de la Osada, the best Under-2-5 player, with a total of 32 points; and Marcos Pastor and Rubén Pardo followed.

They shared fifth place with 30 points.

Jorge García de la Osada, Grupo San Pablo Award for best Under-25

Jorge García de la Osada has become the second recipient of the Grupo San Pablo award for the best Under-25 golfer in the tournament, finishing in a tie for third place with Vicente Blázquez. His consistent rounds (11, 8, and 13 points) were key to maintaining his podium position throughout the week. He joins José Manuel Pardo, who won this award at the tournament held in Córdoba.

Unwavering support from institutions

The tournament has been a resounding success not only in terms of competition but also on a social, economic, and institutional level. This was emphasized by the authorities present at the awards ceremony: Carlos Alberto Yuste Izquierdo, Director General of Youth and Sports for the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha; Pau Betrán Cabedo, Councilor for Youth, Childhood, and Sports for the City Council of Ciudad Real; José Poblete, President of Golf Ciudad Real; José Manuel Caballero, Director of Golf Ciudad Real; and Ander Martinez, President of the PGA of Spain.

Everyone highlighted the importance of this tournament here in Ciudad Real, and that it remains linked to the TUMI Spain Golf Tour, a circuit that is already well established, the envy of Europe, and that continues to grow in prizes, impact, and commitment from all Spanish professionals.

SOURCE: PGA of Spain