Simon Griffiths, a player who hasn’t had an easy life in the world of golf, achieved his second professional victory today and second in Spain, defeating Major winners, Ryder Cup captains and winners, and DP Tour tournament champions… a dream come true for the Brit who until recently was a caddie at his club.
Although he started with a two-shot lead in the final round, all eyes were on the favourite, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, and Colin Montgomerie who was eager for victory, so the Brit had to be strong under such pressure to which he is not accustomed, as he never played on the Tour. However, he focused on his game and, despite the pressure from his opponents’ birdies who were hitting and missing equally, Simon maintained control of his game at all times. He didn’t miss a single shot and with an error-free card and 5 birdies, the Brit managed to prevail and demonstrate that last year’s victory in La Manga was no fluke, but that everything comes in due time and Griffiths has established himself as a great player, without faltering and finishing with a birdie on the 18th.
Two years ago, Griffiths went to the Champions Tour School and the Legends Tour School, and in both, he was on the brink, in 6th position (only the top 5 make it). That year he qualified for the Senior Open, and on the first day of the tournament, he suffered food poisoning and couldn’t play. He had to wait for the School again to earn his spot last year on the Legends Tour, where he won the first stage, then finished 2nd in the final, and began his professional career successfully on the Legends Tour: seven top 10 finishes with a victory at the European Senior Masters and a 2nd place at the Mauritius Island final.
His streak continues in the first tournament of the season where, holding off pressure from those who have been the best in the world, he maintained concentration and managed to finish the round error-free, with 68 strokes for a total of 17 under par.
“I am delighted, absolutely happy, it’s incredible. I started with a birdie, Monty started making birdies, and I knew I had to hold on, I was watching the leaders because I knew Hend was doing well but the birdie on the 15th gave me a lot of peace. I don’t know what it is about Spain but it’s clear that I do well here, I feel good, I like it… it’s very special for me”.
The player who posed the most challenge was Scott Hend, who wasn’t among the favourites but signed the best card of the tournament, with ten birdies and two bogeys for 64 strokes, climbing to second place with a total of 13 under par.
Miguel Ángel Jiménez fought until the last hole, where he made a birdie, but had to settle for 4th place after signing a card of 70 strokes for 10 under par: “A bit tough today, the holes moved a lot, too much, except for the 18th… But it was a very good week, the course was in magnificent condition, the crowd, the people, the tournament, it was very good”.
Vicente Rubio, winner of the Legends Experience
As for the Legends Experience of the Staysure Marbella Legends, the winner was Vicente Rubio, General Manager of Finca Cortesín and member of Aloha Golf. “I enjoyed it immensely, I think the fact of being able to play the first two days with professionals of the level this tour has is a unique experience, it’s thrilling. We enjoyed it a lot, with many nerves on the first shots and then you relax, but it’s a great experience that I recommend to everyone. Plus, you play the course with a preparation you don’t usually find. It’s different from playing a ProAm, you’re competing, so you’re focused on your amateur competition, and next to two gentlemen who are playing for their future, their money, and you have to be very involved in the game not to affect their play. It’s a very special game and I recommend it to everyone”.
Ryan Howsam, President of Staysure and the Legends Tour, Phil Harrison, CEO of the Legends Tour, and Lisandro Vieytes, Deputy Mayor and Sports Councillor of Marbella City Council, presented the awards to the winners, accompanied by Rafael Fontán, President of Aloha Golf Club, Pablo Mansilla, President of the Royal Andalusian Golf Federation, Gonzaga Escauriaza, Honorary President of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation, Miguel Ángel Guerrero, golf director of Costa del Sol Tourism, and Javier Gervás, General Manager of JGolf.
