SERGIO Garcia secured his 16th European Tour title following a one-shot victory on his debut at the 100th edition of the KLM Open.
The Spaniard endured a mixed front nine where he was leading by two at the fifth.
But the 39-year-old found himself trailing playing partner Callum Shinkwin, from Hertfordshire, by one shot at the seventh following back-to-back bogeys at The International, near Amsterdam.
However, a double bogey at the 10th by the Englishman handed Garcia the initiative and the 39-year-old used his experience to hold off the chasing pack by a single stroke with an 18-under par total.
Garcia, who picked up his first win since claiming his first Green Jacket at the Masters two years ago, said: “It was honestly amazing to have my brother, Angie my wife and little Azalea, it’s very special.
“Amazing, we had a great week and great to win again. I played well all week under pressure,” added Sergio, who was interviewd by the 18th green holding his 20-month-old daughter.
“It wasn’t easy, there were a couple of tough moments today but I hung on tough, that’s the most important thing.
“There was obviously a little bit of nerves here and there. Today wasn’t easy, it was quite breezy and was blowing in a different direction again so it wasn’t playing easy at all, but I played nicely again.
“A couple of mistakes here and there but other than that, I felt like I played really well and that’s why I’m standing here I guess,” said the star of nine Ryder Cup appearances for Europe.
“It means a lot to be part of that amazing group, to be there with Seve,” Garcia said proudly after joining his hero on the names of KLM Open champions.
“Well it is the most important name in Spanish golf, him then Jose Maria and then Miguel (Angel Jimenez), myself and Jon (Rahm) and Rafa (Cabrera Bello) – and many others – but it is a great treat to be part of that group.”
Denmark’s rising star Nicolai Højgaard, making just his seventh European Tour start, surged into contention.
The Junior Ryder Cup ace was briefly joint leader with four holes remaining, but came up just short in sole second.
Højgaard, who claimed the European Amateur Championship a year ago before turning pro with identical twin Rasmus this season – both playing the Challenge Tour – said: “It was fun out there.
“I got a good start and everything came down to one putt, so I’m very proud of being in the chance of getting a play-off with Sergio (Garcia).
“I’m pleased to be here, said the 18-year-old who received an invitation to the event.
“It was close, but when I hit I knew it was left. It was close but I am happy to have a putt to force a play-off and I’m speechless right now.
“This week means I’m playing European Tour tournaments next year. I’ve been in-between with everything.
“So I’m hopefully on my way up there so that would mean a lot,” added Højgaard, who appeared in last year’s Eisenhower Trophy.
Alongside John Axelsen, Nicolai and Rasmus led Denmark to a first World Amateur Team Championship title and last year’s Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn has marked them down as the next Danish stars on Tour.
Matt Wallace, who is also a member at the same Moor Park GC as Shinkwin, was third on 15-under, while Surrey’s James Morrison was one shot further back as Garcia became the first Spanish winner of the KLM Open since Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño, in 2005.
Rikard Karlberg was a shot further back with fellow Swede Joakim Lagergren, on 11-under alongside Chilean Hugo Leon and Dutchman Wil Besseling.
Home favourite and two-time winner Joost Luiten was looking to join Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer and Simon Dyson as three-time winners of the Dutch Open,
Luiten carded a 10-under total to finish in 10th, alongside Belgian Thomas Pieters, Welshman Bradley Dredge, Frenchman Mike Lorenzo-Vera and Essex’s Matthew Southgate.
