Trailing the third-round leader Campillo all afternoon, Finland’s Välimäki finally took the lead in the 17th hole with a seven-foot birdie putt. However, Campillo quickly regained the lead by birdieing the last hole, tying Välimäki at 18 under par and forcing a playoff. Välimäki secured his victory with a birdie putt on the first playoff hole. This win marks his second DP World Tour title. Scott Jamieson secured his card for the next season with an impressive back-nine performance, finishing tied for third with Nacho Elvira at 16 under par.
In the final round, Välimäki started one shot behind Campillo but fell two shots back after Campillo birdied the first hole. Välimäki seemed in danger of falling further behind after dropping a shot at the sixth hole. However, he responded with consecutive birdies on the seventh and eighth holes. He closed the gap at the top to one shot with a birdie at the 12th hole and caught up with Campillo with a birdie on the 13th hole. Campillo narrowly missed his birdie attempt on the 13th hole, while Välimäki made a 20-foot putt to pull even. Välimäki missed an opportunity to take the lead on the 14th hole, and both players encountered difficulties on the 15th hole with errant tee shots. Campillo managed to save par, while Välimäki bogeyed the hole. Campillo made his first bogey of the day on the 16th hole, tying him with Välimäki at 17 under par. Both players reached the green on the short 17th hole, but Välimäki made a seven-foot birdie putt to take the lead for the first time in the round.
The momentum shifted back to Campillo on the 18th hole as he reached the green in two shots, while Välimäki had to lay up. Välimäki could only manage a par, while Campillo birdied to force a playoff. However, Välimäki came out on top in the playoff, sinking a birdie putt from around six feet after Campillo missed his attempt. Välimäki expressed his joy and emotional response to his victory, describing it as “unbelievable” and acknowledging the hard work he put in. He also mentioned the significance of having his fiancée present for his victory.
To summarize, Välimäki trailed Campillo throughout the round but managed to take the lead in the 17th hole. Campillo tied the score in the last hole, leading to a playoff where Välimäki ultimately emerged as the winner.
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