Maximilian Walz secured his first victory on The Gecko Tour in this week’s event at Marbella Golf Country Club and Santa Clara Golf Marbella. The young German opened his account on Europe’s premier winter circuit after a thrilling battle on the final day and an ending that would not have been the best therapy for anyone suffering from a heart condition.
Gabriel Cañizares reached the final hole of the tournament – the 18th at Marbella Golf GC – with a one-stroke advantage over Walz and two ahead of Carlos Balmaseda. The three were playing together so, even though Cañizares had the edge, sentence would be passed on this hole.
There was still an unexpected and exciting final twist in the film. Walz made a valuable birdie, while Cañizares ended up with a painful double bogey that relegated him to a share of second place with Balmaseda and England’s Sam Connor, who carded the best round of the day (68). Yet another example of how, in sport, you can’t count your chickens until they’re hatched.
Walz totalled 209 to finish two shots ahead of Connor, Cañizares and Balmaseda, and three better than Chile’s Mark Tullo. The new champion is 23 years old and was coached at the University of Louisville in the United States. He has played in one European Tour event, the 2012 Omega European Open in Switzerland, where he missed the cut but left behind his business card with an excellent opening round of 69.
After winning his first title as a pro, he said, “I’m very happy. I would like to dedicate it to my family and support team. I am fortunate to have a group of very good coaches around me.” The key to the tournament was the final hole, which Walz acknowledged was particularly exciting. “It was a real roller-coaster, with so many changes that I didn’t even know who led on the final hole. Anything could have happened because my playing partners, Gabriel and Carlos, were playing very well. Nevertheless, luckily, in the end I won. I knew I had to make a birdie, and it worked out very well.”
The players once again highlighted the high level of preparation at both courses co-hosting this week’s event, even though the conditions were tough due to the wind. “The courses were brilliant, although it wasn’t easy,” said Walz. “There was even more wind than the Spanish players expected.”
Walz also revealed he had played in the tournament on the recommendation of a friend, Patrick Kopp, who just happened to be the leading pro at Río Real and Atalaya in January. Now they both have bragging rights.
There were some spectacular moments in the tournament, including two holes-in-one. If it’s difficult to have one ace in a tournament, seeing two is memorable. Carlos Rodiles scored the first on Tuesday, in the first round, on the 11th hole at Marbella Golf CC. “I hit a 6-iron 185 metres to the flag with the wind helping on the right,” he explained. Meanwhile, the second hole-in-one came from James Need on Wednesday, on the third hole of the same course. “I hit a pitching wedge 140 metres.” Just two examples of the enormously high level of play on The Gecko Tour each week.
The next tournament will be held from 22 to 24 February at San Roque Club and Finca Cortesín.