General / Editor / 08 May 2007 / Leave a Comment

Spain's Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano is hoping to carry his momentum into the Valle Romano Open de Andalucia, a new tournament which gets underway in his homeland this week.

The 26-year-old claimed his third European Tour win with a play-off victory over Austrian Markus Brier in the Italian Open on Sunday.

England's Nick Dougherty looked the hot favourite as he went through the turn three shots clear, but bogeys at the 12th and 17th cost him dear.

Fernandez-Castano teed off at the 10th six shots behind but came back with five birdies and an eagle and then made the decisive birdie on the second extra hole in the play-off to claim the prize.

Fernandez-Castano, who, along with fellow Spaniard, Miguel Angel Jiménez, will promote the Spanish tournament at Aloha Golf Club, can be backed at 21 to triumph on home soil on Betfair's outright winner market, with his compatriot the early 13.5 favourite.

"Since winning in China three weeks ago my self-confidence has become very high," said Fernandez-Castano.
"With some big tournaments coming up, I'm hoping to keep it that way."

Jiménez will be looking to add his 14th European Tour title to his name with victory at the Valle Romano Open. Four of his 13 triumphs have been on Spanish soil, including two in the Andalucia region - both in 1999 - the Turespaña Masters Open Andalucia at Parador Malaga del Golf and the Volvo Masters at Montecastillo.

The Valle Romano Open de Andalucia is one of five events in Spain on the 2007 European Tour, joining the Open de España, the Open de Madrid, the Mallorca Classic and the Volvo Masters.