The exciting call of the North American champion after winning the VISA Open in Nordelta

The Argentines were never able to fully enter the title fight. In the absence of prominence of those who knew the field best and had the support of the public, Zack Fischer won the 116th VISA Open in Argentina, which was held at Nordelta Golf Club. The American scored a final round of 68 strokes (-4) and totaled 270 (-18). With this triumph, the 33-year-old golfer got an invitation to participate in the British Open, which will take place at Royal Liverpool in July 2023.

“It’s always great to win, it’s an incredible feeling and I still can’t believe it. It was an exciting ending Linus (Lilliedahl) played very good golf, he pressured me all the time and it was a lot of fun playing against him,” said Fischer, a native of Texas. “The only thing I wish is that my family was here with me to enjoy it with them. I cannot describe what I feel that I am going to play The Open next year”, remarked the professional member of the Korn Ferry Tour, who will play the second Major of his career next year thanks to the invitation offered by The R&A to the winner of this championship.

Fischer had started the day three strokes ahead of Lilliedahl, whom he was playing in the last group. With the gap reduced to two shots after nine holes, the Swede picked up his pace making back-to-back birdies on the 10th and 11th holes to tie at 16 under par. Both birdied at 13 and the tie was broken by Fisher’s birdie at 14. The rest of the way they both made pairs and ended up separated by just one blow.

As soon as he achieved victory, Fischer needed to hear a familiar voice and called his wife, with whom he shared the victory in Nordelta while they were transporting him in the cart to the control cabin. “Thanks love. It was crazy. I have to go sign my card but I wanted to call you”, I told him excited. An unforgettable moment for him that was captured in one of the official videos of the PGA Tour Latinoamérica, which began the season with this event.

Linus Lilliedahl, who had been the leader in the first two rounds, finished one stroke behind with an accumulated 271 strokes (-17). Only in third place does the first Argentinian appear: it is about Santiago Bauni, who was six shots behind the champion and equaled on the leaderboard with the Canadian Myles Creighton, who with 65 strokes (-7) scored the best score of the championship, with a total of 276 strokes (-12).

The spectators had their chips on two local figures, Augusto Núñez and Alejandro Tosti, who finished in fifth place with 277 (-11). The man from Tucuman Núñez had been expectant after two solid first rounds of 68 shots (-4). However, as the weekend accelerated, the PGA Tour member couldn’t put up enough of a fight and stayed put. In any case, in reviewing the year, Núñez can be sure that he was the best Argentine golfer of 2022, thanks to his jump to the maximum circuit.

Another of those who declined on Saturday and Sunday was Lilliedahl, who regretted not having been able to maintain the level of the first two days. “I have a bittersweet feeling. I played very well today, Zack was terrific over the weekend as well, I did my best but came up short. In any case, I am happy with my level in this tournament”, commented the 28-year-old Swedish player.

Meanwhile Bauni, the most prominent within the national legion, remarked: “I am calm, at no time did I feel the pressure of the last day, I enjoyed being able to play like this in the Open with all the people and it is something that I will remember for forever”.

The PGA Tour Latinoamérica will stay one more week in Argentina to play the Neuquén Argentina Classic. The tournament will begin this Thursday at Chapelco Golf & Resort in San Martín de los Andes.

THE NATION