Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño eyes strong finish in Dubai after recent Italian win
Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño feels his game is hitting top form in time for a tremendous finish to The Race to Dubai after claiming the BMW Italian Open presented by CartaSi. The Spaniard narrowly missed out on qualification for the European Ryder Cup Team, but is hopeful his victory on Sunday, where he captured his sixth European Tour title at Royal Park I Roveri in Turin with a magnificent 24 under par, will provide the springboard for individual success as his season builds towards a climax at the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai from 22-25 November.
The €250,000 first prize cheque in Italy propelled him up 14 places to 19th in The Race to Dubai with season earnings of €831,951, and the 31 year-old is confident he can finish in the top ten and claim a slice of the US$3.75million Race to Dubai Bonus Pool at the end of the season.
“I can’t wait to get to Dubai for the DP World Tour Championship,” said Fernandez-Castaño, who will be part of a 60-man field at the event staged on the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
“To be in that elite field for the end-of-year event means you have had a great year. I’ve jumped up many spots with this win and now I have a chance of finishing in the top ten.
“I feel as though my game is hitting top form just at the right time of the season to enjoy an excellent finish. My record hasn’t been that good on the Earth course, so that’s something I’m hoping to put right this season.
He added: “This year I’ll be taking my family, and I can’t wait to show them what Dubai is all about and enjoy a fantastic week.”
While the Spanish star enjoyed victory, South African Garth Mulroy claimed second place in Italy and with it secured his card for 2013.
The 34 year-old was 113th before the tournament but rose to 68th place and boosted his chances of being in Dubai for the season-ending climax, for which only the top 60 in The Race to Dubai qualify. With less than nine weeks remaining in which to qualify, Mulroy’s dramatic surge up the rankings will act as a spur to a clutch of star players all vying for a guaranteed place at the end-of-season showdown in Dubai.
Already many of the biggest names in golf have qualified for the DP World Tour Championship including five of the top ten players in the Official World Golf Rankings. And with Rory McIlroy, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Justin Rose and Louis Oosthuizen already confirmed – as well as a host of former Major winners including Ernie Els, Graeme McDowell and Charl Schwartzel – demand for free tickets for the four-day tournament continues to be high.
Caption: With the sixth European Tour title of his career wrapped up in Italy, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano can look forward to competing in the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai
