Pádraig Harrington’s wait to become the oldest ever DP World Tour winner will go on but his week at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship was bookended by two strong rounds.
Harrington opened his week with a round of 68 and closed with a 69 that included two birdies in his last three holes as he climbed into a share of 50th place on three-under-par.
Poor second and third rounds ruled the 53-year-old out of contention as Alejandro Del Rey powered to his maiden DP World Tour title.
The 26-year-old Spaniard landed a potentially career changing victory as a final round of 66 gave him a 22-under total and a four shot win over Marcus Armitage.
Del Rey roared out of the traps with back to back birdies before adding a third birdie on the 5th to soar five shots clear of the chasing pack.
He took control of proceedings with three successive birdies from the 11th to move six shots clear with five holes to play and he made no mistakes as he saw out the win at his ease.
Armitage ended his round with a birdie at the last to sign for a 68 and finish four shots behind Del Rey on 18 under.
David Puig was then alone in third place three shots further back after the Spaniard’s final-round 65, while Adrien Saddier enjoyed a memorable day as he made a hole-in-one at the seventh.
“It’s amazing because it’s basically what I work for,” beamed Del Rey.
“I got to a point last year where I just felt like I wasn’t having that much fun on the golf course because for me, playing for 20th, 30th place wasn’t that meaningful at that point.
“I just worked really hard since then because I just didn’t want to be in that position much longer. And I feel like I’ve played many years with a lot of friends that have won out here and I knew I could do it but it just wasn’t showing up.
“I’m just grateful and I’m very happy that this finally came.
“I’ve always felt about myself that I’m a great closer of golf tournaments.
“It just felt great today, felt very natural and very easy.”
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