The Armada has brought back a more than juicy harvest from South Africa. Ángel Hidalgo (-22) has finished in fifth position alone in the Jonsson Workwear Open and Iván Cantero (-21) has been sixth tied with Oliver Bekker. Two very important results produced by two golfers who needed to give themselves a boost in the Race to Dubai, and how they achieved it, involved in the fight for victory and holding on with race and determination until the end of the round.
The attitude of the two has been outstanding. It was not an easy day. There were many different players involved in the fight and many birdies had to be made not to dilute in the classification. Both Hidalgo and Cantero have shown more than their face, they have shown that they do not shrink in these situations and that they can win on the DP World Tour. They have not been so far away, beyond the extraordinary performance of Matteo Manassero, the winner.
Ángel has had a very Hidalgo day. He has rebelled against his own mistakes. The Malaga player is clear that the fight is not negotiated and always keeps a final trick up his sleeve that turns the situation around. His round has been a brutal roller coaster. Every time it seemed that the train was leaving him, he pulled out the birdie or the eagle (he has made two in the day). A demonstration of how to fight without ever losing faith, no matter how black the outlook is. In black, precisely, he was dressed today in South Africa, the best possible tribute to the best in history around here: Gary Player.
The fifth solo position allows him to add a great harvest of points and places him in 53rd place in the Race to Dubai. He has practically half the work done to keep the card. He adds 243.1 points and last year just under 460 were needed. Let’s say he has launched the season when we have barely a third, although he will not be the one to ring the bells. Last year he was in this same situation at this time and ended up almost asking for the time.
Meanwhile, Iván Cantero has signed the best performance of his life in a professional tournament, if we take into account the scenario and the pressure of being on the last day fighting to win. Certainly, the sixth place is his best result ever on the European circuit. With this week he gets into the top 100 of the Race to Dubai and starts the machinery to continue one more year on the European circuit.
The best of the Llanisco has been his attitude. Even when things have gone wrong, he has known how to turn it around. He has hit great shots, like the 18 to finish with birdie, and has left many samples of the high level that his golf can have when he is comfortable. With the driver and the putter working at this level, the reality is that he should not suffer to maintain playing rights. This tournament could well be a turning point.
Right now, the Armada has twelve players among the 110 who keep the card. A sensational number that speaks of the good start to the season of ours. The only one who still needs to give his results a boost is Adri Arnaus.
