25 April 2021: Maximilian Kieffer threatened to steal the thunder on Sunday with a power packed 62 on Sunday. But Garrick Higgo would have none of it, as he produced a second straight 63 to sail away to victory in the Lopesan Open. The South African had a dream week, shooting 65-64-63-63 for a prolific 25-under total of 255, ahead of Kieffer (258) and Jeff Winther (259).
Earlier in the week, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Ajeetesh Sandhu, Shubhankar Sharma and SSP Chawrasia had all missed the weekend action after making some gallant efforts in the second round.
On Sunday, Kieffer climbed five spots on the leaderboard, threatening to upend the overnight leader, but Higgo never quite let up. The South African went bogey free since making one at the eleventh hole on Saturday. He went out in just thirty strokes to make a forceful statement to a dwindling group of chasing wolves, highlighted by an eagle on the par-5 fourth hole. Higgo also made an eagle on the same hole during his 63 on Saturday.
An eagle and two birdies helped Higgo stretch his advantage to four as he made the turn on Sunday. Kieffer has been scenting blood for a few days now. The German had lost in a playoff in Austria last week, where John Catlin won on the fifth time of asking. Kieffer rode home on a 30 through final nine to keep the pressure bubbling over his opponent. But an unfazed Higgo produced three more birdies on the final stretch to secure the win.
“It’s unreal,” he said. “Jeez, I can’t put it into words, it feels amazing. It’s quite a relief finishing now.
“It wasn’t over until the last hole really, I knew anything could happen, especially with the wind coming up. It was a bit stressful
“I am just going to keep going forward. I am playing next week, the week after and see where my game goes. It feels good, I have worked really hard with my coach and everyone back at home, so it feels amazing.”
Winther left his work late, but picked up four stroke over the last three holes to leap over Sam Horsfield into third place. The Dane shot 64 in the final round.
This is the second European Tour victory for Higgo in 24 starts, the first coming in only his seventh event last year at the Open de Portugal. Higgo is expected to move up to 65th on the OWGR with the help of the points collected this week.
The European Tour also witnessed some history this week as Higgo secured the 500th win on the main circuit for a player emerging through the Challenge Tour. It also was a rare double for South Africa as Brandon Stone had won the Limpopo Open on the Challenger Tour earlier in the day.
