Estanislao Goya claimed his first European Tour title with victory in the Madeira Islands Open BPI-Portugal on Sunday.
Argentine strikes gold in Madeira
Estanislao Goya claimed his first European Tour title at just the sixth attempt with victory in the Madeira Islands Open BPI-Portugal on Sunday.
Argentine Goya survived a late scare from Scot Callum Macaulay, who finished his round with an amazing birdie burst.
The 20-year-old from Cordoba, a graduate from last season's Challenge Tour, took the title in Porto Santo by one shot with a closing 73 and six under par total of 278.
Macaulay, ranked 1,009th in the world, incredibly birdied the last six holes and eight of the last nine for an inward 28 that was just one outside the Tour record.
Playing only his fifth event on the circuit, the 25-year-old equalled the course record with a 64 but thought his blistering run had come too late to seriously trouble the South American
But after a double-bogey at the 492-yard par four 16th Goya suddenly found himself needing to par the final two holes to save the £107,000 title and the accompanying two-year Tour exemption.
He held his nerve though, leaving last year's Scottish champion, who was 11 strokes back with nine to play, to take the £71,309 runners-up cheque.
"I felt a lot of pressure and was very nervous," said Goya. "But this is an experience you have to go through. I'm so happy.
Dream
"My dream is to be one of the best players in the world and this is one of the steps you have to make. But I never thought it would happen so quick."
Macaulay, who came through all three stages of the qualifying school at the end of last year, added: "I'm just delighted - absolutely ecstatic.
"I've not been able to get in a tournament for over two months and just came here to get ready for the next two weeks.
"I knew I had to come out all guns blazing, but I've never had a run of birdies like that before and I'm kind of speechless.
"If I play as good as I can, I feel like I can compete. Most of the players at the top level hit the ball similar and it comes down to the short game.
"I worked hard on my putting the last couple of weeks. I had 22 yesterday and 10 in the last 10 holes today, which is just unheard of for me."
Irishman Damien McGrane and Dutchman Wil Besseling shared third place on four under after McGrane left himself a mountain to climb after double-bogeying the short 13th.
"The course was very demanding," said McGrane "I stayed patient and did the best I could, but he was a worthy winner."
