Marcos Pastor has triumphed on this season’s The Gecko Tour. The Córdoba golfer secured top honours in the fifth edition of Europe’s premier winter circuit. Five years and five Spanish champions: Gabriel Cañizares was the debut winner in 2012, followed by Raúl Quirós, Carlos Rodiles and Jordi García del Moral. All Spanish golfers, and all players who have tested their skills at the highest level on the European Tour. This is the next step Pastor hopes to take – he knows his moment has arrived.
The Gecko Tour was not decided until the last moment. We had to wait until the final event, the Gecko Masters grand finale held this week at La Cañada Golf Club, a course that once again earned widespread admiration from the players. Two players had options for final success: Marcos Pastor and Manuel Quirós. Pastor knew that finishing ahead of Quirós would secure victory for him, and that’s how it panned out, with the new champion finishing just one short ahead of his rival. Maximum excitement on a tour that each year has been boosting its competitive level and which this year has produced winners of the calibre of Swede Marcus Kinhult, Mario Galiano, Jordi García del Moral and Carlos Rodiles. An extremely high level, and an extraordinary mix of new talent with established players either seeking a return to the elite or aiming to maintain their competitiveness.
“I’m very happy. Winning The Gecko was a goal after beginning the season so well. It shows I am doing things well and the objective now is to prepare myself for a move onto the European Tour or Challenge Tour. The next important event will be the European Tour Qualifying School at the end of summer. I want to be very well prepared for this event and I’ll be focused on that over the next few months,” said Pastor after being presented with his trophy as champion and a full card for the Alps Tour, a prize obtained by the winner of The Gecko Tour order of merit.
As for the grand finale, Marcus Gran emerged victorious. Once again, it could hardly be any other way than a last-breath triumph. Extremely exciting… pulsating. Gran defeated Carlos Rodiles on the second play-off hole. The Swede birdied the 18th at La Cañada while his Málaga rival could only make par. Both players had finished the tournament level on 136, one fewer than Gonzalo Gancedo and two better than Alfredo García Heredia, Alfonso Gutiérrez and Sander Aadusaar.
Thus concluded the fifth edition of The Gecko Tour – having made further major inroads. The Costa del Sol circuit ended another season after victories by players who will be making their presence felt on the European Tour in the coming years. The Gecko Tour has a key pool of promising young players, with a special mention for the female contingent, in particular Noemí Jiménez, who didn’t finish lower than fourth in all her appearances on the tour.
All the professionals expressed gratitude to The Gecko Tour for its efforts, now five years on the annual calendar thanks to the impetus of British entrepreneur Rupert Hubbard and his whole team. A priceless effort that has enabled players to enjoy a tour with 20 annual events during a period when Spain has been left without a national circuit.
The Gecko Masters was played over 36 holes with a pro-am format. Amateurs had the opportunity of playing alongside professionals who were playing for a great deal, living first-hand the experience of a major competition.
