Angel Hidalgo celebrates his win over Jon Rahm at the 2024 Spanish Open. | Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
26-year-old Spaniard Angel Hidalgo won for the first time on the DP World Tour, defeating Jon Rahm in an entertaining and emotional playoff.
It’s impossible to depict the joy that 26-year-old Angel Hidalgo must feel right now.
Three years ago, he primarily played on the Alps Tour, two levels below the DP World Tour, and therefore did not have the eligibility to qualify for and play in the Spanish Open. But he still decided to go to Madrid to watch Jon Rahm play from outside the ropes. The opportunity to watch Rahm on his home soil comes only once or twice a year, so Hidalgo did not want to miss this chance to see the best Spanish player of his generation.
While watching Rahm then, he had his own aspirations, hoping he would join him on this stage someday. He finally did so. But he never could have imagined what transpired this week. Hidalgo defeated Rahm in a two-hole playoff to win the Spanish Open, marking his first DP World Tour title.
“Insane,” Hidalgo said.
“Absolutely insane.”
It did not come easy.
Hidalgo slept on the 54-hole lead, holding a two-shot advantage over Rahm, the two-time major champion who doubles as one of the best players in the world. But it all came down to the 18th hole, where Hidalgo still held a one-shot advantage. Rahm had just birdied the par-3 17th to cut the deficit to one, putting all the pressure on Hidalgo.
The final hole at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid measures only 322 yards, meaning both Hidalgo and Rahm could drive the green. After launching their drives around the putting surface, Rahm chipped his approach to about six feet while Hidalgo knocked his to roughly four feet away. Being the world-class player he is, Rahm stepped up and drained his putt, which tied Hidalgo at 14-under. That set the stage for Hidalgo to try to win his national open with a short birdie try, but it was not meant to be in regulation. He hit a nervy stroke that did not sniff the hole, and off to extra holes they went.
The DP World Tour sent them back to the 18th tee for the first playoff hole, which he and Rahm capitalized on. Both players made birdies, which included Hidalgo making a five-footer. His make reinstilled his confidence and erased the memory of what transpired on the 72nd hole.
They then returned to the 18th tee for a second playoff hole. Hidalgo hit his drive into a great position just off the green while Rahm missed well left, his ball nestling in a buried lie on a downhill slope. Rahm then chipped his ball over the green while Hidalgo knocked his chip 18 inches away, thus guaranteeing the victory.
“I was pretty relaxed all day, even the first tee. I don’t know why,” Hidalgo said after.
“Even when I missed the short putt on hole 72, I was not discouraged that I stroked that bad of a ball.”
He kept his composure and did not get discouraged. He operated the same way early on, too, when it looked like David Puig might run away with it thanks to his hot start.
“To be honest, on the eighth tee, I thought Puig was going to win the tournament by eight because he was hitting amazing, and Jon and myself made a few mistakes,” Hidalgo said.
“I played a pretty smart game, and pretty good game, and I stroked my putter well, so yeah, I’m happy. And especially with beating Jon, he’s probably the most important player in the last 20 years or 30 years in Spain.”
But it’s the people and stories behind the player that make these maiden underdog victories memorable and incredible.
Hidalgo dedicated this win to his late Grandfather, who passed away a few years ago. He would have turned 80 years old on Saturday, but he received a picture-perfect birthday present up in heaven from his grandson, who he is no doubt smiling upon.
Hidalgo’s parents also traveled to Madrid by train on Sunday to watch their son compete among the world’s best. His best friend and coach did as well.
“Winning at home, winning a Spanish Open with all the support there has been. You could tell how much he felt it and how important it was for him,” Rahm said of Hidalgo’s win.
“May he learn from these moments and enjoy them.”
It does not get better for Spanish golf than what happened on Sunday. Rahm competed against and played alongside two young Spaniards in the final pairing of their national open. It then went to a playoff, and David defeated Goliath, putting Hidalgo into a joyful shock as tears streamed down his face.
Rahm, meanwhile, knows that feeling well, falling just short of a fourth Spanish Open title.
“I gave myself a chance to win, which is what I wanted. I gave it my all until the end, and I’m proud of myself,” Rahm said.
“But having a final like this, no matter who wins, helps those kids who were watching here or on TV to want to try playing golf to experience moments like today’s.”
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough for more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.
