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Stadler Holds off Cabrera to Win the Abierto Visa de la republica presented by Bridgestone
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Stadler Holds off Cabrera to Win the Abierto Visa de la republica presented by Bridgestone

Kevin Stadler of the USA stood firm to an early onslaught from Angel Cabrera before powering his way to a two shot victory at the Abierto Visa de la Republica presented by Bridgestone, securing a winner’s cheque for €35,900 at the Jockey Club Buenos Aries at the second event of the 2006 European Challenge Tour season.

 

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 Scotland’s Andrew McArthur finished as the leading European in the field, in a tie for third place. Former Scottish Amateur champion McArthur, who turned professional in September, rallied to a fantastic finish at the Jockey Club to tie home player Hernan Rey in third place.

 

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 Argentina’s Eduardo Romero in a play-off at Olivos Golf Club. By virtue of this, the Stadlers enjoy the honor of being the only father-son tandem to ever win this tournament.

 

“It makes me extremely happy to win such an important event. It’s an event of great tradition and I’m delighted to join my dad on the winner’s circle,” said the young champion. “I felt the pressure all day. Maybe I didn’t show it, but it was quite a struggle.”

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