Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano survived a double bogey on the final hole to win the BMW Masters in Shanghai after a final round of 68. The likeable Spaniard started the day just a shot behind American Luke Guthrie and compatriot Rafael Cabrera-Bello. However, it was to be Fernandez-Castano’s day after he pulled clear of the field, before that late wobble, to claim the first lucrative instalment of the European Tour’s inaugural Final Series.
On the 18th, with a three shot lead at this point after 17 holes of typically magnificent ball striking from the player born in Madrid, Fernandez-Castano would find two bunkers on route to that closing double bogey that saw him finish just a shot ahead of Francesco Molinari, who had set the clubhouse target after a scintillating final round of 64, and Thongchai Jaidee, who had closed with a 66. However, Fernandez-Castano’s 11-under total at Lake Malaren was enough to clinch his seventh victory on the European Tour.
Molinari had made his move early, completing the front nine in 34. But his challenge then looked to have stalled after a bogey at the 12th. However, the Ryder Cup veteran would push Fernandez-Castano all the way after a stunning barrage of low scoring in the last third of his round. The Italian from Turin would eagle the 13th, before running off a streak of four consecutive birdies, which saw him make up six shots in five holes.
At this stage, after Molinari settled for a 64, he was tied with Fernandez-Castano on 10-under. However, the Spaniard would reclaim sole possession of the lead after a birdie of his own at the 13th. It looked like it would then become a stroll to the winner’s circle for him, after he made two further birdies on the 15th and 17th.
But there was to be another twist, after Fernandez-Castano found a bunker off the tee. He would then play his third shot into another bunker, before holding his nerve to make a double bogey, which was all he needed to claim the most lucrative victory of the 33-year-olds career.
“I knew it wasn't going to be an easy round, especially the way I started. I started hitting the ball pretty bad,” Fernandez-Castano said. “But my caddie kept me cool and told me how good I had been hitting the ball through the week and I played fantastic after that.
”On the last I played too conservative and it was a fighting six at the end for sure.”
However, although hard fought, it was a closing six that completed a victory that is worth €851,346.
“BMW is one of the great supporters of The European Tour through the years, they know how to run events and they make the players feel so comfortable.
”It's pretty much like playing at home and it's also great to see the crowds this week. I think they have been pretty amazing.”
It’s a victory that moves Fernandez-Castano all the way up to fourth on the Race to Dubai. With three events remaining in the Final Series, there is still an excellent opportunity for a number of players, not least the Spaniard, to ascend to the summit of the money list and become the European Tour’s number one by the time the dust has settled in Dubai.
In addition to the money involved, these events could become critical in terms of Ryder Cup qualification for next year. With this win, Fernandez-Castano has now provided himself with an excellent foundation to build on in the coming months, and the opportunity to compete at Gleneagles for Europe is much more of a reality than it was at the beginning of the week for a player who recently excelled in the Seve Trophy.
“It's perfect timing because it's Ryder Cup qualification period right now,” he added. “It doesn't get any better than this; first event of the first ever Final Series and I got the victory.”
Last year, Peter Hanson was the victor in Shanghai. The Swede, who has two Ryder Cup appearances to his name, has struggled with injury this year, with his form suffering as a result. After an opening round of 79, it looked as though it was to be another week of disappointment for the 36-year-old. However, he battled back in the next few days, and found himself playing alongside European captain Paul McGinley.
On Sunday, Hanson would surely have impressed the Captain, after he compiled a quite brilliant final round of 63. In a week that could have left the Swede with little in the way of positivity going forward, he can take a great deal of heart from that stunning closing effort.
“I was playing with Paul McGinley, the Ryder Cup Captain, and I guess I wanted to impress him,” Hanson joked afterwards.
”I had no expectations on coming back from injury and I was obviously very rusty on Thursday. But I have felt better and better throughout the week and to finish with a round like that is very pleasing. As a defence, it wasn't bad!”
Luke Guthrie would finish an excellent week in fourth after a final round of 71. One shot back of the 23-year-old American, Thomas Bjorn, Peter Uihlein and Pablo Larrazabal all finished at eight-under. Rory McIlroy finished in a tie for 27th, and he still has worked to do if he wishes to qualify for the season-ending DP World Tour Championship, while Race to Dubai leader Henrik Stenson retained that position after a final round of 65 ended an inconsistent week.
Next week, the WGC HSBC Champions will be the next event of the Final Series, which will then move to Turkey, before the top 60 on the money list qualify for the finale in Dubai.
But this time, in Shanghai, it was Gonzo week.