Daily Times
July 27, 2021
NEWPORT: Spain’s Nacho Elvira, the world number 694, won his maiden European Tour title on Sunday, shrugging off squandering a six-shot lead to defeat South Africa’s Justin Harding in a play-off. Elvira, 34, parred the first extra hole at Celtic Manor to secure his first victory at the 195th attempt. He dedicated his win to Celia Barquin Arozamena, a fellow golfer who was a student at Iowa State University when she was found dead on a course in September, 2018. Earlier in the year, Barquin, 22, had won the European Ladies’ Amateur Championship.
“To be honest I was thinking especially during the last nine or 10 holes about Celia Barquin, she passed away a few years ago. I was good friends with her family and this is for her,” said Elvira. Barquin’s killer Collin Richards pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison in August 2019. Elvira had not recorded a top ten for over two years and had endured nine missed cuts in his last 11 events before his visit to Wales “That’s what we practice for and what we strive for. We try to win, to be at the best level on the European Tour and play with the best. It means the world to me,” he said. Harding and Finland’s Mikko Korhonen had both played their first 15 holes in six under par to share the lead on 16 under, with Elvira covering his first 14 holes in one over.