Three Spaniards are in the Open Championship. One, two, and three. And all three have agreed to deliver the same scorecard this Thursday at the Dunluce course of Royal Portrush. All three have shot 70. All three under par. All three in the top 20. Three, they were three. Serious business.
Sergio García (-1) and Ángel Hidalgo (-1) have followed in the footsteps of Jon Rahm (-1) and have finished beating the course. They played in slightly more favourable conditions than Jon, though it wasn’t a walk in the park. The wind was blowing, but less so, and they only experienced a couple of showers that didn’t quite reach the level of a downpour.
Don’t think it’s common to see three Spaniards in the top 20 of an Open after the first round. Rather, we should consider it a rara avis. The last time a better situation occurred was at the 2013 British held at Muirfield. Interestingly, the last time it was held at this iconic Scottish course in Gullane. That year, over a decade ago, Rafa Cabrera Bello started 2nd with -4, Miguel Ángel Jiménez was 4th with -3, and Gonzalo Fernández Castaño began 15th with -1. Three Spaniards in the top 15.
Okay, Royal Portrush isn’t Muirfield, but it’s not something to complain about either. Among other things, because in favour of this edition in Northern Ireland, it’s worth noting that we only have three Spaniards, making it a solid three out of three in the top 20, whereas six participated in Muirfield. In addition to those already mentioned, there were Eduardo de la Riva, Sergio García, and Álvaro Quirós.
The rounds of Sergio and Ángel have been very good. In fact, both deserved a bit more. García managed to get three under par after a sensational sequence of birdies on holes 5, 6, and 7. He played really well from the tee. Brilliant, even. He signed four birdies and three bogeys. He started by saving very delicate par situations and then began to play well. A bad drive on hole 11 and a short putt that slipped away on 16 prevented him from being even closer to the leaders. In any case, the important thing is that Sergio is regaining the vital signs of his game. The next step is for him to mentally accept that things will fall into place by playing this well, that he will still miss shots, yes, but he will get through the rounds. However, if he insists on chasing the result and forcing situations, that’s when difficulties may arise. The final balance is a happy return of Sergio to the Open three years later. He was missed.
For his part, Ángel Hidalgo has signed his best round in a Major. Yes, we agree, he’s only had three, but it’s not bad that on the third attempt he already has a score under par in his pocket. Not many can boast of something like that. Beyond the result itself, with two bogeys, a sensational eagle on 7, and a birdie, the most important thing is the game. He was a straight shooter. Ángel hit the ball very well, was almost always in position, comfortable from the tee, and left himself plenty of birdie opportunities. It can be said that it was an easy one under par, and that in a Major, no matter how you look at it, is significant and something to be pleased about.
It’s not Muirfield, but things aren’t bad at all.
