Rionegro, Colombia (February 21, 2010) – Colombia’s David Vanegas provided a dominating final day performance to make the Abierto Internacional de Golf II Copa Antioquia the most memorable event of his career of only fourteen months as a professional.
Leading by one at the start the day, Vanegas never hesitated on his way to a first career victory. He carded a final round 67 to finish the week at 12-under par 272, four strokes ahead of Nathan Smith. The runner-up from the U.S. carded a 69 that featured a great 7-iron for hole-in-one at the 195-yard No 11.
It’s hard to imagine a better setting for a first career win for the new champion, who excelled at the Club Campestre El Rodeo Sede La Macarena, his home course and host of this event, while battling the top players from the Tour de las Americas, the European Challenge Tour and the Canadian Tour. The three Tours co-sanctioned the US $220,000 event to open their 2010 season.
“I can barely contain my tears, this is so emotional! I’m extremely happy to win, but I find it hard to explain how I feel,” said the 23-year old champion, awarded a US $35,200 check and playing privileges on the three Tours that joined efforts and talents this week in Colombia.
With the top 7 players entering the final day within four strokes of the lead, we all expected a wide open race for the title. Vanegas himself anticipated a tough day, but it wasn’t! He was so focused and driven that his lead was never in danger.
After a birdie on the first hole and a bogey on the third, he ran away from the rest of the pack with a brilliant run of birdie-par-birdie-birdie-birdie between the eight and the twelfth. He followed his hot streak with a bogey at the thirteenth and closed with a birdie that made the fans in attendance erupt on the final hole.
“There are many opportunities for me to play internationally after this win and I intend to take full advantage of them. I’m going to enjoy this one and over the following few days I will decide where to play,” added the first Colombian ever to win a co-sanctioned event.
The distant third, six strokes off the pace set by the winner, was taken by U.S. player Vince Covello, 72 today. Another stroke further behind the solo fourth belonged to the defending champion Peter Gustafsson of Sweden, who closed the tournament with a 70.
