Lee Slattery has been fighting for seven years to make a place for himself on the European Tour, and he has finally seen his “dream come true” by winning the Bankia Madrid Masters at El Encín Golf Hotel. Since he landed on the Tour as flamboyant number one of the Challenge back in 2004, the Englishman has suffered successive losses of the card, the most painful in 2007 for only 77 euros, which made him come and go to the minor circuit, where last year he was thirteenth.
Again on the Tour this season, history repeated itself. The Englishman arrived at the Bankia Madrid Masters fighting to keep the playing rights but leaves with his first major victory in his pocket, and the peace of mind to continue among the greats next year.
Two Spaniards in the Top Ten: Eduardo de la Riva finished third tied with Argentine César Monasterio, and Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño sixth in a crowded day at El Encín, where thousands of people came to witness the outcome of the Bankia Madrid Masters.
Lee Slattery started today with a two-stroke lead but opened the door to his pursuers with bogeys on 3 and 5. Argentina’s Cesar Monasterio and Italy’s Lorenzo Gagli took advantage of the opportunity and took the lead while Francesco Molinari and Luke Donald were still lurking in the lead, among others. But Slattery was not about to throw in the towel. He birdied the seventh and put together a sensational run of hits on the 11th, 13th, 14th and 15th to go straight to victory.
However, the Englishman still had to suffer on the 18th hole where he was three shots ahead. He went into the water while Lorenzo Gagli missed a birdie putt. Slattery was forced to hol his putt for double bogey and avoid the drama of going out to play-off.
Lee Slattery, champion, 71 strokes -1 total 273 (-15): “Never in my life have I ever shaken as much as I did on the 18th green after going into the water. No psychologist in the world prepares you for this. I won in 2004 at the Challenge, I was number one in the ranking, and I had a lot of expectations when I came to the European Tour. Losing the card that year was very hard. I put too much pressure on myself.
It has taken me seven years to believe in myself and today I finally believe I can win. It has been a fantastic week, I have enjoyed a lot with the people, with the city, with how good the food is in this country -the tapas are delicious-, and I have realized that the more you are able to enjoy yourself, the better you play. From now on that will be my philosophy.
When I picked up the trophy I remembered my parents who have done everything possible for us and I know how much this victory means to them. I come from a working class family, and I also had to work in a clothing store to be able to pay my way in golf. Over time I’ve realized that it has served me well in life.”
Eduardo de la Riva, the best-ranked Spaniard in tied third position, 70 strokes (-2) 276 (-12): “I played very calm, I have left me many opportunities and I have not made any bogey until the 18th where I gave a bad shot. I leave very happy, it has been a very positive week, I managed to get into Portugal (Top 10 gives access to the next tournament) and I had a great time.
I have been able to play my game, in this sport you have to go stroke by stroke, hole by hole and that has paid off”.
Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño, sixth place, 71 strokes (-1), 279 (-9): “I am happy with the result but disappointed with the bogey on the last hole. On the 18th I told Luke Donald that he can’t imagine how much I appreciate him being with us. It was one of the most beautiful matches of my career, I played with the number one and with a chance to win. There was an incredible atmosphere on the course, the crowd was exceptional and I was really looking forward to a Spanish player winning”.
This tournament would not have been possible without the sponsorship of Bankia and the Community of Madrid, and the collaboration of the Madrid Golf Federation, Prosegur, El Encín Golf Hotel, Audemars Piguet, The Best Of You, Cleveland, Coca-Cola, CBS Outdoor, El Mundo, ESIC, European Tour, Genworth Financial, Golf Digest, Kyocera, Mahou, Marcilla, Mallorca, Marca, Monbus, Osborne, Race to Dubai, Renfe-Cercanías, Solán de Cabras, 20 Propuestas and Volvo. GFC Golf & Business, the company presided by Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño, has been responsible for the organization and promotion of the Bankia Madrid Masters.
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