John Catlin of Sacramento has won twice in the last month on the European Tour.
The 29-year-old Catlin birdied three of the last four holes to win the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open by two strokes over Aaron Rai of England at Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort, Ballymena, Northern Ireland.
The 29-year-old Catlin, who held off major champion Martin Kaymer of Germany to win the Andalucia Masters at Valderrama Golf Club in Sotogrande, Spain, four weeks ago, claimed his ninth victory as a professional.
The only other Americans to win the Irish Open were Ben Crenshaw in 1976 and Hubert Green in 1977.
“To be listed with those names is something truly special and I’m very honored,” said Catlin, who played college golf at New Mexico and has won seven pro events in Asia. “I’m so happy. I was talking to someone earlier about where I was at four years ago and to be here is so surreal, and a testament to my coach and all the hard work we put in. It’s so awesome to just be here.
“There are so many years of hard work that have gone into this moment. It was my goal to win again at the start of this week, so to accomplish that is to do something truly, truly special.”
Catlin, who joined Rasmus Hojgaard of Denmark and Sam Horsfield of England as two-time winners in the 2020 Race to Dubai, posted a score of 67-70-69-64—270, 10-under-par, while Rai finished at 65-70-67-70—222, and Maverick Antcliff of Australia shot 70-65-68-70—273 to tie for third with Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand, who finished at 68-70-66-69—273.
Joakim Lagergren of Sweden totaled 70-66-71-67—274 to tie for fifth with Oscar Lengden, also of Sweden, who wound up at 67-71-66-70—274.
Lucas Herbert of Australia shot 71-67-67-70—275 to tie for seventh with Jordan Smith of England, who finished at 65-71-70-69—275, and Fabrizio of France, who came in at 70-72-70-64—275, while Adrian Meronk of Poland was 10th at 71-69-70-66—276.
For complete results, visit https://www.europeantour.com/european-tour/dubai-duty-free-irish-open-2020/results?round=4
