Matt McGuire and Craig Swinburn ensured their march to victory in the Confederation of Professional Golf’s Fourball Championship did not mirror the continent’s tallest rollercoaster that stands sentry alongside the Lumine Golf and Beach Club.
Having established a four-stroke advantage after the first two rounds of the tournament on Spain’s Costa Dorada, the pair were in no mood to squander their hard work in the third.
So, unlike the golfing pyrotechnics that resulted in them posting a two round total of 16-under-par, consolidation and prudence appeared to be on the menu.
Gone was the white-knuckle-ride golf that saw them set a scorching pace in the Spanish sunshine, replaced by a more conservative four-under-par 67.
But that was more than enough for the English duo to keep their nearest challengers in the 58-strong field at bay.
At the close, their advantage had been trimmed to three as a result of compatriots Michael Jones and Gary Houston posting a second successive round of 65 to finish second on 17-under, two strokes ahead of a five pairs who tied for third place.
The quintet comprised: Matthew Dearden of Wales and France’s Paul Brown; Grant Hamerton and David Smith of England; Italian pair Alessandro Napoleoni and Emanuele Canonica; and previosu winners Simon Edwards of Wales and England’s David Shacklady.
Edwards and Shacklady won the tournament in 2004, the last time it was contested before being revived in 2011.
The less expansive approach from the latest winning pair was anything but deliberate, however.
“The course was a lot tougher today,” said McGuire. “There was more wind than we’d had on the first two days and the pin positions were trickier. Not that we’re complaining – it’s a very challenging course, which can reward you if you’re prepared to take risks.”
In terms of rewards, that approach paid dividends as the pair did not record a bogey until the 42nd hole of the tournament.
One more followed, at the 18th, by which time the pair were assured of claiming the €4,500 winner’s cheque.
A half share of that, however, was not the only plus point for Swinburn.
“Playing a tournament like this in such good conditions a couple of months before the season starts is great preparation,” he said. “The course was also in brilliant condition and the hospitality superb so, hopefully, more pairs will enter next year. We certainly intend to will be to defend our trophy.”
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