Sean Keeling closes with eagle two to clinch fourth in Spanish International Championship
Sean Keeling with his trophy following his fourth-place finish in the Copa del Rey at Alcanada
Sean Keeling holed an 80-yard sand wedge for an eagle two at the 18th to close to a three-under 69 and finish fourth in the Spanish International Men’s Championship for the Copa del Rey at Alcanada.
In an event that was declared a 72-hole strokeplay test after weather delays prevented organisers from playing out the matchplay, the Roganstown star finished seven strokes behind the Netherlands’ Lars van der Vight on one-over-par after carding the second-best score on a day when just five players broke par.
Van der Vight claimed the 109th edition of the event after a duel with Spain’s Luis Masaveu, carding a 74 to the Spaniard’s 77 to win by three strokes on six-under.
The leading duo were tied for the lead overnight and while van de Vight went out in 40, Masveue picked up just one shot but struggled on the back nine as Dutchman outscored him with a two-under homeward run.
Italy’s Michele Ferrero (72) was third on level par with Keeling fourth (level) and Naas’ Robert Brazill tied ninth (75) on six-over.
Ryan Griffin shot 78 to finish tied 14th on eight-over with Hugh Foley (79) tied 22nd on 10-over and David Shiel (78) tied 50th on 17-over.
In the women’s championship for the Copa de la Reina at Guadalhorce, Spain’s Andrea Revuelta Goicoechea beat France’s Sara Brentcheneff 2&1 to claim the title.
Revuelta ended Annabel Wilson’s hopes of claiming the title with a 4&3 win over the Lurgan star in Saturday’s semi-finals.
Lars van der Vight with the Copa del Rey
Copa del Rey, Alcanada (Par 72)
1 VAN DER VIGHT, Lars -6 68 69 71 74 282
2 MASAVEU RONCAL, Luis -3 66 71 71 77 285
3 FERRERO, Michele Par 71 72 73 72 288
4 KEELING, Sean +1 73 69 78 69 289
5 SMITH, Harley +2 71 74 77 68 290
T9 BRAZILL, Robert +6 72 76 71 75 294
T14 GRIFFIN, Ryan +8 73 73 72 78 296
T22 FOLEY, Hugh +10 72 74 73 79 298
T50 SHIEL, David +17 75 74 78 78 305
T77 COUGHLAN, Paul +9 77 76 153
T118 CLEARY, Donnacha +22 84 82 166
