Angel Cabrera emerged victorious at the Paul Lawrie Match Play at Hanbury Manor, claiming the title of Legends Tour’s match play king. The final match pitted Cabrera, a two-time Major winner, against James Kingston, a three-time Legends Tour winner and the 2022 MCB Road to Mauritius champion. The tournament saw a total of 64 players competing, with Cabrera and Kingston rising to the top as the last two men standing on Sunday afternoon.
The final match was a closely contested affair, with Cabrera taking an early lead by winning the second hole. However, Kingston fought back on the front nine, ultimately heading into the turn with the match tied. Cabrera regained the advantage on the back nine, only for Kingston to level things again on the 14th hole. Cabrera then won back-to-back holes on 15 and 16 to go two up with two holes to play.
As they approached the 17th hole, Cabrera found himself in a tough spot off the tee in the light rough among young trees, while Kingston ended up in the greenside bunker with his approach shot. Cabrera then played a remarkable 8-iron shot from 177 yards to less than 10 feet from the pin. Kingston’s bunker shot went awry, leading to his conceding the match to Cabrera.
Following his victory, Cabrera expressed his joy at his hard-earned win, noting that he had been working diligently for this moment over the past three months. Despite not having won a professional tournament since 2013, Cabrera showcased his prowess in the match play format, emphasizing the emotional significance of his win. The 54-year-old Argentinian highlighted the importance of focusing on each hole during the match, underscoring his appreciation for the match play format.
In the play-off match for third place, Greig Hutcheon emerged victorious over Bradley Dredge with a score of 2&1. The final moments of the tournament saw Cabrera and Kingston shaking hands on the 17th green, with Cabrera ultimately clinching the title with a 2&1 victory. As the Legends Tour’s match play king, Cabrera’s triumph at the Paul Lawrie Match Play solidified his status as a seasoned competitor with a flair for excelling in high-stakes tournaments.
