Eirik Tage Johansen today became the first player in the history of the Gecko Tour to win two consecutive tournaments. The Norwegian golfer, who won nine days ago in Alcaidesa, has also won this week at Mijas Golf Club.
Johansen, Nordic by adoption and passport, although born in the United States, has won with a cumulative result of 202 strokes. A resounding victory, as the runners-up, the British Jamie Dick, and the Spaniards Gabriel Cañizares and Marcos Pastor, finished four strokes behind. The winner has given no option, with two rounds at Los Lagos of 63 and 69 strokes and a first round at Los Olivos of 70. It is evident that he is in excellent form.
Johansen is the first player to win two victories this season and tightens the ranking of the order of merit, although it is Marcos Pastor who ends the year as winter champion. Precisely, the Cordovan golfer is the one who has been closest to ruin the victory of the Norwegian, as he started today to a stroke of difference, however a good start of the leader coupled with a shaky start of Pastor, has soon made the balance was tipped. Already on the ninth hole the difference was three strokes.
Johansen was happy and proud to have made Gecko history. “I didn’t know that no one had been able to win twice in a row, although it doesn’t surprise me because the level is very high and that makes me feel even more satisfied for this triumph. The key to the good moment I’m going through is that I really enjoy playing. I think it is key to be at ease to be able to play low rounds”, said the champion. Regarding the tournament, Eirik pointed out that “the key round was yesterday, when I shot 63 and took first place. I didn’t know much about this course, but things went very well. I dedicate the trophy to my wife and all my family”.
The golf week in Mijas has been splendid. Mijas Golf, for its part, has presented the course in excellent conditions. And the Costa del Sol has once again shown off its name and the 54 holes of the tournament have been played under a radiant sun, with temperatures that have hovered around 25 degrees. And yes, it is December. For this reason, among others, the Gecko is the best winter racetrack in Europe.
After the second day, played yesterday, the cut was established with the top twenty and tied. The cut was at +1, a good example of the enormous level of play we have seen this week in Mijas. Jordi García del Moral, reigning champion of the Gecko, has debuted this season with a fourteenth place, a very good result if we take into account that during the fall he has hardly been able to train since he has been doing a course management scholarship in Valderrama.
The Gecko Tour will now stop for a few weeks for the Christmas vacations. The circuit will return again in 2016, specifically from January 12 to 14 with the tournament to be held at Los Naranjos Golf Club and La Quinta Golf and Country Club.
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