Jorge Campillo ended his long wait for a maiden European Tour win at the 229th time of asking with a two-shot victory over Erik van Rooyen at the Trophée Hassan II.
The Spaniard arrived at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam with two second places and a third in his last four events, and when he bogeyed two of his first three holes in round four, it looked as if he might miss out again.
But the 32-year-old held his nerve brilliantly, birdieing the 16th and 17th to hit the front at nine-under and finish ahead of Americans Sean Crocker and Julian Suri, and South African Van Rooyen after a closing 71.
After a stellar amateur career, Campillo turned professional in 2009 and graduated from the European Challenge Tour in 2011, finishing inside the top 100 on the Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex in every season since.
That included six second places – with four in the last three seasons – four thirds and 18 further top tens from 150 made cuts, but he can know call himself a European Tour champion at long last.
Van Rooyen’s wait for his first win will continue after misses at the Irish Open in 2018, a runner-up at the Qatar Open and a top-10 in his last outing at the Indian Open.
The South African bogeyed the third to get his round off to a wobbly start, but a birdie at the fifth helped him maintain his lead. A number of pars saw the 29-year-old make the turn in front of the chasing pack, but his putter betrayed him on the inward run.
A three-putt at the 14th and two lip-outs, including one at the 17th, saw Van Rooyen trailing by two with one to play. He could only manage a par as Campillo entered the winner’s circle at his expense.
