Atlas by Golf Lleida already has the victory it was missing in this qualifying phase of the Nin9rs Games. First triumph of the year. The side captained by Carlos Pigem came out on top this Wednesday in the Campeonato de la PGA de España, held at New Sierra Golf, Murcia, with 29 points, one more than the competition leaders, Xorkyo Frogs. A debut that reinforces their second position and slightly reduces the gap to the top of the standings.
The joy was almost complete. Emilio Cuartero, a member of Atlas and defending individual champion, reached the playoff for the championship. There he faced Carlos Abril, who had posted an extraordinary 63 to catch him and ended up prevailing at the first extra hole. The Castellón native thus opened his individual record as a professional
The champions of the first edition find their first victory of the season
Atlas’s squad is made up of Carlos Pigem, José Luis Adarraga, Emilio Cuartero, Alejandro Esmatges, Kevin Esteve and Gerard Piris. A group with experience and resources that finds in Murcia a collective reward for their work during the season. This week they fielded Pigem, Adarraga, Cuartero and Piris.
It is by no means a team unfamiliar with victory. Atlas fue el campeón de la primera edición de los Nin9rs Games, after defeating Xorkyo by 6.5-2.5 in the final. What was missing was to open their win column in the 2026 regular season, something they have achieved at New Sierra Golf.
Until now, Xorkyo had won the first three events and Andalucía Penguins had interrupted their run in Meaztegi. The Atlas join that list of winners and leave the standings with 171 points for the Frogs and 113 for the team of Pigem. The difference goes from 59 to 58 points: a small cut, but accompanied by an important victory. Valencia Vikings, Abril’s team, added 26 points and completes the podium for this event
A 63 to catch the defending champion
Carlos Abril began the final round from the twelfth position and ended up lifting the trophy. He did it with a round of 63 strokes, nine under par, without bogeys, which set a new record at New Sierra Golf. His nine birdies allowed him to catch Cuartero with an aggregate of -13. The playoff was played on the 9th hole and was decided at the first attempt.
Cuartero, who had started as leader, returned a 69, insufficient to contain the comeback partly due to a cruel three‑putt on hole 54, the last of the tournament. Alfonso Buendía and David Borda shared third place with -12, one stroke off the playoff, while Mario Galiano and Álvaro Morales finished fifth with -8
Carlos Abril: three months in the United States, Law and home golf
Behind the winner’s name there is a trajectory that Carlos Abril himself explained to Ten Golf. It was not a long stay in the United States that marked his development. His time there lasted barely three months and the experience did not turn out as he expected. He chose to return and continue his studies in Spain.
“I was there for three months”, he says. “In the end I came back and studied Law here”.
His point of reference in golf is the Club de Golf Costa de Azahar, with which he has been linked since childhood. For a period he combined his activity there with Mediterráneo Golf, but he clarifies that his preparation is currently once again centred at Costa de Azahar.
“I train there and do everything there”, he explains.
Abril also adds a nuance about his record. The Murcia win is his first individual victory as a professional, but not the first time he has won since turning pro. “It’s not the first, because I won the doubles of the Valenciana with Rubén Lafuente, my friend”, he recalls. “Individually it is the first”
“I plan to take training more seriously”
The interesting part of his story is not only the path he has taken, but also what he wants to do from now on. Abril is finishing TD1 and mentions the practical elements as part of that process. For next year, his plans include private lessons, activity at the club and a greater dedication to his preparation.
“I plan to take training more seriously”, he assures.
He does not announce an immediate jump to another circuit nor a radical change of calendar. He talks about his club, his education and training more. That is the horizon described by the player who has just conquered the Campeonato de la PGA de España. The Murcia result now adds a reason for confidence to that aim
Isla Canela remains the destination
New Sierra Golf was the fifth counting event of this phase of the Nin9rs Games. During the year, players’ individual results become points for their respective teams. Each team can present up to five starters in a tournament and there is a five‑point bonus when all five make the cut.
The top eight teams will secure access to The Games, the grand final to be played from 1 to 3 December at Isla Canela Links, Huelva. There the format will change: direct team knockouts with nine‑hole match play matches. Before that, teams must earn qualification and every point counts
Overall standings after New Sierra Golf
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Xorkyo Frogs | 171 |
| 2 | Atlas by Golf Lleida | 113 |
| 3 | Andalucía Penguins | 75 |
| 4 | Dacar Iron Masters | 74 |
| 5 | Codex Golf Linces | 73 |
| 6 | Valencia Vikings | 72 |
| 7 | Dhamma Blue Barbarians | 54 |
| 8 | Golden Lions by Adidas Canarias | 43 |
| 9 | Mermaos by Aiuken | 29 |
| 10 | Galicia Pulpos | 28 |
| 11 | Madrid Warriors | 18 |
| 12 | Eggs Golf Marbella | 6 |
The top eight provisionally hold the qualifying spots for the final. Totals include team bonuses
Alcaraz, following Buendía from outside the ropes
The tournament also had a very special spectator: Carlos Alcaraz, who went to New Sierra Golf to enjoy the final day.
The tennis player, a great golf fan, was following a few matches with Alfonso Buendía, a good friend of his. He was seen fully engaged in the competition and enjoying a round that kept his friend in the fight for the title until the end.
This time, the emotion was lived from outside the ropes. Inside, Atlas celebrated its first victory of the regular season and Carlos Abril, his first individual title as a professional. Two firsts in the same day
