WITH THIS WIN
SUNDAY MAY 8, 2011 - OPEN DE ESPAÑA
THOMAS AIKEN
• His first European Tour International Schedule victory in his 104th European Tour event.
• Moves to €666,848 in The Race to Dubai.
• Moves to just outside the top 70 in the Official World Golf Ranking, from 104.
• This victory beats his previous best European Tour finish of second in the 2010 Africa Open.
• This victory beats his previous best 2011 performance of third in the Joburg Open.
• The third first-time winner of the 2011 season. The first-time winners are: Nick Watney (WGC - Cadillac Championship), Nicolas Colsaerts (Volvo China Open) and Thomas Aiken (Open de España).
• Joins Antonio Garrido (1972), Jerry Heard (1974), Andrew Sherborne (1992), Joakim Haeggman (1993), Padriag Harrington (1996), Brian Davis (2000), Kenneth Ferrie (2003), Christian Céavër (2004), Peter Hanson (2005) and Peter Lawrie (2008), as players to make the Open de España their first European Tour victory.
• The Open de España is the fourth European Tour event he has led or shared the lead going into the final round and first time he has won. Here are the events: 2010 Africa Open - finished second; 2011 Joburg Open - finished third; 2011 Omega Dubai Desert Classic, finished tied seventh and Open de España - finished first.
OTHER FACTS
• The fifth South African victory of the 2011 season. They are: Ernie Els (South African Open Championship), Louis Oosthuizen (Africa Open), Charl Schwartzel (Joburg Open and Masters Tournament) and Thomas Aiken (Open de España). This makes South African the country with the most wins to date this season.
• Joins Dale Hayes (1971, 79) and Charl Schwartzel (2007) as South Africans to win the Open de España.
• The 99th South African victory in European Tour history.
• Becomes the 28th different South African to win on The European Tour.
• The 390th different player to win on The European Tour.
• Gains a two year European Tour exemption until the end of the 2013 season.
• Gains his largest European Tour prize of €333,330.
• Moves over €2 million in European Tour Official Career Earnings.
• His ninth win as a professional.
• Gains a place in the 2011 WGC - HSBC Champions.
