Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates-Spaniard Alejandro Del Rey won his first World Turtus DP title in impressive fashion, shooting a third straight 6-under 66 to win the Ras Al Khaimah Championship by four strokes on Sunday.
Del Rey, ranked No. 308, finished the week with 22 wins for his 70th start on the tour.
After feeling the putt on No. 18 for his fifth straight par to end his final round, Del Rey was covered in water after several of his compatriots fell onto the green.
His last top 10 final came last March at the Singapore Classic, where he was tied for seventh.
“I got to a point last year where I just felt like I wasn’t having as much fun on the golf course because for me, playing 20th, 30th wasn’t as meaningful at that point,” Del Rey said.
“From then on, I worked really hard because I just didn’t want to be in that position much longer. And I feel like I’ve played a lot of years with a lot of friends who won here and I knew I could do it, but it just didn’t come up. “
Del Rey was bogey-free over the weekend at Al Hamra Golf Club.
He started the final round with two shots, stretched it to five shots with birdies on Nos. 1, 2 and 5, and even made six clear after three straight birdies from No. 11. Then he parred his way home for an easy one. Maintain second place for Marcus Armitage, leader after the first two rounds.
Armitage of England (68) was 18 and David Puig (65) of Spain was third at 15 under.
“I’m just grateful and so happy that it’s finally come,” Del Rey said. “I’ve always felt about myself as a great golf tournament closer. It just felt great today, it felt very natural and very easy.”
