Gonzalez looking for more glory

Argentina’s Ricardo Gonzalez today stepped up his bid for back-to-back victories in the Spanish Open in Fuerteventura.

Gonzalez won the Seville Open on Sunday, carding birdies on three of the last five holes for a two-shot victory over Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher and England’s Jonathan Lomas.

It was his third European Tour title and second win on Spanish soil following his Madrid Open victory in 2003, and he arrived in the Canary Islands as second favourite behind double Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal.

Olazabal continued to struggle to find top form with a first round 71, one over par, but Gonzalez recorded a three under 67 despite more erratic driving.

The 34-year-old admitted he was ‘embarrassed’ to lead after the third round last week when he failed to hit a single fairway with his driver but still shot 69.

And he found only three of 14 fairways in regulation yesterday – missing the 17th fairway by an amazing 112 yards – but still recorded just one bogey and four birdies.

Another birdie on the 11th this morning, his second hole, took him to four under par for the tournament, two shots behind overnight leader David Park of Wales.

Park was one shot ahead of compatriot Jamie Donaldson, who had now been joined in second place by France’s Christian Cevaer after a birdie on the third.