Kevin Stadler of the
Stadler had began the day with a two stroke lead from Cabrera, but by the time the leading duo reached the turn, the BMW Championship winner had hauled himself into the lead, having picked up birdies at the first, fifth and sixth holes, while Stadler had picked up a solitary birdie a the third and bogeyed the fourth.
With home favourite Cabrera now in the lead at this, the centenary of Argentina’s National Open Championship, it looked like the tournament was only going to go one way, but a mix of Stadler’s gutsy determination and a spectacular collapse from Cabrera ensured that the American would emerge the victor.
Despite bogeying the tenth, Stadler found himself level with Cabrera as they moved to the 11th tee following the Argentine’s double bogey at the tenth. Both men stayed level after birdieing the 11th, but Cabrera then handed Stadler the lead once again by dropping a stroke on the 12th.
The Argentinean compounded that error with another double bogey on the 14th to leave Stadler in control of the tournament witrh just four holes to play. That second double from Cabrera meant that even though he picked up a shot on the 15th and Stadler bogeyed the 16th, the American still emerged with a two shot victory, much to the delight of his father, the 1982 Masters champion Craig, who finished the tournament 13 storkes behind his son in a tie for 18th place.
A brilliant finish of five birdies in his closing eight holes ensured
Stadler’s victory win allowed him to join an illustrious list of players who have won this prestigious title over the past 100 years – not least his father Craig, who won it in 1992 when he defeated
