What a thriller in Madrid! Angel Hidalgo, a fresh face on the tour, outlasted seasoned pro-Jon Rahm in a playoff that had everyone on the edge of their seats at the 2024 Acciona Open de España.
The stage was set for drama from the start, with a rare all-Spanish final group adding extra flair to the national open, something we hadn’t seen since Rahm’s comfortable win back in 2019.
From the get-go, it seemed like the golf gods were stirring the pot. Hidalgo, who had a two-stroke lead when the day began, was immediately on the back foot after missing a short putt on the first hole for a bogey, while Rahm, not someone to let a chance slip, swooped in with a birdie.
David Puig wasn’t just a spectator either, kicking things off with a birdie himself to keep the pressure dialled up.
The lead was a hot potato, passed around between Hidalgo, Rahm, and Puig as they battled through the course.
Rahm turned up the heat with a birdie on the 17th, cutting Hidalgo’s lead to just one.
Then, in true Rahm style, he birdied the last to tie things up with Hidalgo, forcing the duo into a playoff while Puig joined others further down the leaderboard.
In the playoff, both players showed their mettle, matching birdie for birdie on the first extra hole.
But as the tension peaked, Rahm’s chip on the second slipped by, and Hidalgo was spot on, sinking a two-footer to clinch his maiden DP World Tour title.
Jon Rahm: May he (Angel) enjoy it. Winning at home, winning a Spanish Open with all the support that there has been. You could tell how much he felt it and how important it was for him. May he learn from these moments and enjoy them.
Thinking that on Tuesday morning I was still in the hospital in another country, on the other side of the Atlantic, in the end, I’m happy. It’s a pity to have lost in the play-off and not have been able to do better today.
I can’t say it has been a bad week. I gave myself a chance to win, which is what I wanted. I gave it my all until the end, and I’m proud of myself.
What happened today helps (for Spanish golf). Having a final like this, no matter who wins, helps those kids who were watching here or on TV to want to try playing golf to experience moments like today’s.
It wasn’t just about the new champion; the leaderboard was a who’s who of golf.
From Jens Fahrbring to the smooth-swinging Tommy Fleetwood and America’s Sean Crocker, each brought their A-game, making for a memorable tournament.
Angel Hidalgo: Two or three years ago, I was in the first tee, in the trees, supporting Jon – without playing, I just come here to Madrid to see the tournament. To be here and win the tournament is unreal. Oh, my gosh, it’s amazing.
I was pretty relaxed all day, even the first tee, I don’t know why. Even when I missed the short putt (at the first) – or this one, hole 72 – I was not discouraged.
On the eighth tee, I thought David Puig is going to win the tournament by eight because he was hitting amazing, and Jon and myself made a few mistakes.
That’s amazing. That’s for everyone that was there and believed in me, and yeah, my team, my family, especially my caddie, he’s my best friend. I called him last year, I was struggling a little, and I called him and he stopped playing to carry my bag.
And my grandpa yesterday was 80 years – well, he passed away a few years ago, but yesterday was his birthday. My best friend Paco and coach Jordi and my parents travelled this morning by train to be here for the tournament. I wish my brother was here but I will make a video call now – probably he cries more than me, knowing him.
So there you have it, Angel Hidalgo steps into the winner’s circle for the first time in his career, doing so on home soil, and in some electrifying company.
Here’s to many more from him!
