Adrian Otaegui earns unique win at Scottish Championship for third European Tour title

Adrian Otaegui is no stranger to winning golf tournaments.

The 27-year-old Spaniard now has three titles on the European Tour after Sunday’s Scottish Championship victory. What makes this one at Fairmont St. Andrews unique? It’s Otaegui’s first 72-hole stroke play win.

His previous triumphs on the European Tour came in 2017 at the Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Match Play and the 2018 Belgian Knockout.

“Stroke play is my favorite way of golf, I think it’s the proper way,” said Otaegui despite a stellar match play record. “You have to play very solidly and very consistently all four rounds, which I think I did. I’m very happy to be able to win stroke play as well, my third win on the European Tour.”

Scottish Championship: Leaderboard

Otaegui began the tournament with a 62 on Thursday and ended his title pursuit with a Sunday 63, overcoming a four-shot deficit thanks to eight birdies over an 11-hole stretch to finish atop the leaderboard at 23 under, four shots ahead of 54-hole leader Matt Wallace (-19).

“I had no expectations this morning, really. I just wanted to go out there, play well and shoot as well as possible. I mean, if you told me I was going to shoot 63 this morning, I wouldn’t believe it,” added Otaegui. “Everything went well, I played very well, I felt very well, I was very focused and I holed some good putts. It’s been a very good week and especially today was a very good day to finish that week.”

“I feel so happy. To be able to win in Scotland, especially here in St. Andrews, the home of golf, it means a lot to me.”

Aaron Rai finished third at 17 under, with Chris Paisley and Garrick Porteous T-4 at 16 under.