In a display of sheer determination and unyielding nerve, Nacho Elvira claimed his second DP World Tour title at the Soudal Open, carding a gutsy level-par 71 at the Rinkven International Golf Club.
The Spaniard, who began the final day with a four-shot lead, found himself facing intense pressure as he stood on the 18th green, his heart surely pounding like a bass drum in a heavy metal concert.
Elvira’s journey to victory at the Soudal Open 2024 was anything but straightforward.
Despite quickly extending his lead to five shots, the final moments were a nerve-wracking affair.
Playing partner Niklas Nørgaard had a 12-foot birdie putt to force a playoff, but the golfing gods were on Elvira’s side this time as Nørgaard missed, allowing Elvira to savour a one-shot victory.
As the crowd erupted, Elvira celebrated with an exuberance befitting the occasion, no doubt aware of how finely balanced the scales of victory and defeat had been.
Frenchman Romain Langasque and home favourite Thomas Pieters tied for second place at the Soudal Open, with English duo Joe Dean and Matthew Jordan finishing at 16 under.
Dean briefly shared the lead with Elvira during a nail-biting fourth round, adding to the drama that unfolded over the lush greens and treacherous fairways of Rinkven.
Elvira’s triumph at the Soudal Open is a testament to his consistency throughout the 2024 season. He has missed only one cut by a solitary shot and claimed second place at the Magical Kenya Open.
At 37, Elvira’s experience and tenacity shone through, reminiscent of his 2021 victory at the Cazoo Open supported by Gareth Bale, where he also faced a potential playoff after leading by six shots into the final round.
This victory was made even more dramatic by a series of unfortunate events that could have derailed a lesser player.
A broken two iron in the warm-up and a 23-minute rain delay during the round tested Elvira’s mental fortitude.
But, like a seasoned poker player, he kept his cool, showing remarkable determination and skill to cross the finish line in first place at the Soudal Open 2024.
Nacho Elvira: “It’s such a relief. It’s been tough because my two iron cracked in the warm up and I needed it a bit today”.
“I was quite nervous because I wasn’t hitting it off the tee well. It was all heart the last few holes because I knew I had a couple of driving holes I wasn’t comfortable with. That chip on 17 was key I think”.
“I knew if I made the putt on the last I would win. I learned a bit from the past. In Celtic Manor (for last win in 2021) I hit it too far past and didn’t make the putt coming back so I knew I needed to hit a good putt”.
“Try to make it but don’t be too greedy. It looked like it was going in all the way and ended up staying on the lip, but the end result was good for me too”.
“I was trying not to get wet (during the suspension in play). It was pouring and we waited for 30 minutes, but congratulations to the team because they did a fantastic job. They kept us on the course knowing it would pass and it sure did”.
“When you’re hitting it well, everything seems easy. When you’re not, everything seems very complicated”.
“I told my caddie, for some reason I wasn’t feeling it today, maybe a mix of emotions”.
“My wedges and my putting were on point, but off the tee I was struggling. I was trying to keep it in play somehow and it paid off”.
“It’s special (the support from his brother Manuel) especially because I tried to teach him that this game doesn’t pay off weekly, you need to be patient. Hopefully he learned something from this and he’ll keep pushing”.
Elvira now leads the European Swing on 500 points after the first of six counting events, firmly positioning himself in the race for the coveted $200,000 prize, an exemption into the Genesis Scottish Open, and qualification for the ‘Back 9’ events.
The 2024 Race to Dubai is heating up, and Elvira’s victory at the Soudal Open has certainly set the stage for an exhilarating season climax.
In the often unpredictable world of golf, where fortune can turn on a single swing, Nacho Elvira’s victory at the Soudal Open stands out as a masterclass in resilience and nerve.
As he raises the trophy, it’s not just a win he’s celebrating; it’s a testament to his unwavering spirit and determination to succeed against all odds.
