Ángel Ayora faced a new situation in his career this Sunday. For the first time, he had real chances of winning a DP World Tour tournament. On his eleventh attempt, which isn’t bad. It wasn’t to be. He didn’t achieve his first victory, but the final grade must necessarily be very high.
Ayora fell at Leopard Creek with his boots on, attacking from start to finish, seizing the lead at the start and aiming for the flags with victory as the sole objective. A round of 71 strokes. If he demonstrated anything, it’s that he isn’t afraid or complacent. Being second, third, or fourth wasn’t enough for him. His decisions were made with winning in mind, without reservations. This has extraordinary value.
The young 20-year-old from Málaga started the tournament like a rocket. He made a birdie on the 2nd hole, the first par 5, hit a sublime shot on the 3rd, another on the 5th, and finished with a fourth birdie on the 6th hole, a short par 4 where he scored every day. He left the rest stuck at the start and took the lead by right. The first mistake didn’t come until the 8th hole. His drive was blocked by a tree, in the left rough, and he couldn’t get it back on the fairway on the first attempt. He barely advanced about 30 metres. His third shot, still from the rough, was excellent, but he failed to sink the good par chance of about two metres that he created.
Ayora continued to play well. From the tee, he put on a display. And with the irons, he showed power, despite the day’s difficulty increasing as the wind’s intensity grew. It was no longer so easy to leave them close. He left himself opportunities, but the birdies weren’t falling. He made another bogey on the 12th, with a long three-putt, from the right edge of the green with the flag on the left. He overhit it a bit and didn’t make the return putt.
He hit long and straight. His drive on the 13th was tremendous, but his second wood shot, again with everything, went a bit to the right. It’s almost instinctive to protect oneself, as the danger is on the left. From the bare grass, he wasn’t able to make an approach and putt for birdie. His chip was a bit short. On the 15th, the second par 5 of the back nine, he hit another good drive, but it ended up in the rough and made the birdie very difficult. Another chance slipped away.
Three holes remained, and he was one stroke behind Norris, who had already finished his round. He hit a great shot on the 16th, a tricky par 3, especially with so much wind. He left himself a birdie putt of about seven metres, and it didn’t go in. Again, textbook on the 17th. Great drive and a shot to just over two metres from the flag. It wasn’t a good birdie putt. Great opportunity missed.
Only the 18th remained. Yes, the legendary final par 5 of Leopard Creek, with the intimidating water protecting like a black hole the second and third shots. Ángel’s drive was once again superb. A birdie would send him to a playoff, an eagle would make him champion, or almost, depending on what Ryan Van Velzen did afterward. Ayora didn’t think twice. He went for the green in two, hunting for the eagle that would make him champion.
Because that’s how the shot was planned. Like a champion. With the flag on the right, the Manilva native envisioned a ball starting on the left and opening up. However, it didn’t come out exactly as he intended, and the wind played a trick on him. The ball came out more like a draw, the opposite effect he wanted, and the wind suddenly stopped. It went from being a club and a half at one in the afternoon, practically against a bit from the right, to half a club. It went long and ended up in the water behind. A club (of wind). And literally… He finished with a bogey in fifth place.
Ayora fell, but he did so with his boots on, seeking victory, being aggressive, and making it clear that he came to golf to win tournaments. To make a living too, of course, but above all to win tournaments. It’s also worth highlighting the magnificent attitude he demonstrated throughout the day, under control and very stable. The goal in Mauritius will be to create a new opportunity.
Let’s remember that Ayora has finished in the top six in four of his last five tournaments. With this result, he will re-enter the top 200 in the world rankings. Additionally, it’s now ten consecutive rounds under par. Onwards and upwards. Growing.
Beyond Ayora, regarding the Spaniards, it’s worth highlighting the great performance this Sunday by Nacho Elvira (-7). The Cantabrian entered the top 20 with a final round of 66 strokes, the best of the day tied with Julien Guerrier.
