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EMILIO Cuartero-Blanco secured an emotional maiden victory on the European Challenge Tour after defeating Oscar Lengden on the third play-off hole of the Stone Irish Challenge.
The final round of the tournament, which was being played at Headfort Golf Club, was cancelled as heavy rains water-logged the course, rendering it unplayable.
With Cuartero-Blanco and Lengden sharing the 54-hole lead on 11-under, a play-off — held on the par three 17th hole — was required to determine a winner.
Both players carded two-putt pars on the first extra hole, and on the second, both nearly chipped in after missing the green.
The third time around, Cuartero-Blanco holed a birdie putt from 12 feet, and when Lengden’s birdie effort from 10 feet burned the edge, the Spaniard secured his first victory in five seasons on the Challenge Tour.
“I remember the first year I got onto the Challenge Tour five years ago, I thought I was going to win a couple, maybe three and get to the European Tour,” said Cuartero-Blanco.
“Then I got shocked with reality. I’ve been close before, but now, it’s just one of those feelings I can’t describe.
“I just want to go home and hug my loved ones. It’s just a tournament I know, and life goes on, but I’m definitely going to enjoy this one. I don’t know what to say really.”
The victory dramatically alters the course of the season for the 28-year-old, who now moves to 41st on the Road to Mallorca rankings, and gains entry into the limited-field Hainan and Foshan Opens in the Far East.
“This was going to be the last tournament of the year for me,” Cuartero-Blanco said.
“I was 100th on the rankings, and it was one of those years where you battle and the scores don’t go the right way, but you know you’re doing things well.”
The win came so suddenly for Cuartero-Blanco, that he will forgo the Hainan Open in order to obtain the necessary travel visa for the Foshan Open.
In China, he will then try to earn a spot in the season-ending Challenge Tour Grand Final, which is reserved for the top 45 players on the Road to Mallorca.
“I don’t even know how I played this good with all the swing changes I’m doing. I was just trying to play golf and have no back pain, and I ended up winning.
“Maybe it’s because I’m having fun, but I don’t know. I don’t want to think about it too much I just want to enjoy it.
“Now I know I can win. I know it’s not four rounds and all that, but a win is a win.”
Cormac Sharvin, who finished in a tie for fifth on eight-under, collected the Christy O’Connor Jnr Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to the low-Irishman at the Stone Irish Challenge.
The Dublin resident moved to fifth on the Road to Mallorca and has joined the race to finish the season as Challenge Tour No. 1.
The Challenge Tour now heads to the Orient for two limited-field events, which begin with the Hainan Open, at Sanya Luhuitou Golf Club in Donghai Bay, China, from October 17-20.
•For full results in the Stone Irish Challenge click here.