Carballo Wins in Guatemala After a Thrilling Final Round

Miguel Carballo became the fourth consecutive Argentine winner of the Abierto Movistar de Guatemala after a quite unbelievable final round at the Hacienda Nueva Country Club ended with the 27 year old defeating his countryman and friend Gustavo Rojas at the first extra hole of a sudden-death play-off. 

Even before Carballo holed his 16 foot birdie attempt for the title, the man from Bahia Blanca had treated the record crowds in Guatemala City to a roller coaster final round. Carballo began the final round with a one stroke advantage over the field and quickly increased his lead to three shots after a dream start of two birdies in his opening two holes.

While most people would expect to be settled by such a quick start, Carballo soon found himself back to where he started with the nagging doubt of a double bogey six lat the par four fourth hole looming over him. The unease of dropping two strokes at one hole was amplified by the fact that a six strong group of players were then within one stroke of the lead.

But, as the pressure grew so did Carballo. He responded brilliantly to Juan Parron of Spain’s valiant attempt to overhaul him with an unbelievable run of three consecutive birdies after Parron had dared to draw level with him on the 12^th green.

Sensing his lead was in great danger, Carballo holed out from 30 feet on the 13^th green, 20 feet on the 14^th and six feet on the 15^th, to put some daylight between himself and the chasing pack.

As he stood on the 16^th tee, Carballo could have been forgiven for thinking that his work was done, and that all he had to do to secure his maiden Challenge Tour victory would be to make three pars and pick up the winners’ cheque for €19,785. But, as is often the case with the great game of golf, there was a lot more drama to unfold before the Argentine could put his name on the trophy.

While Carballo was holding off the challenge of Parron, Rojas was moving quietly up the leaderboard and posing the next threat to the tournament leader. By the time Carballo was stepping onto the par three 17^th green, he could hear the cheers from the 18^th, telling him that Rojas had made a birdie at the last and was about to sign for a six under par 66 and 15 under four round aggregate.

Carballo then proceeded to four putt the 17^th green for double bogey and hand the lead to Rojas. That left Carballo needing to birdie the last to force the play-off and he showed that he had the guts to banish his disastrous four putt with a brilliant birdie at the last to force the Abierto Movistar de Guatemala into extra holes.

He then repeated his birdie at the 18^th in the play-off, allowing him to eventually defeat Rojas and secure the title.

“It was very tough, especially after I made double-bogey at 17th. To finish with a three at 18th was something spectacular,” said Carballo. “I had to make a birdie at the 18^th – there was no other choice for me. It is a fantastic feeling to have won here.”