Maiden victory for Tiago Cruz after Samanah play-off

Portuguese professional Tiago Cruz is the winner of the 2010 Samanah Classic in Marrakech/Morocco. The 27 year old from Lisbon secured victory on the first extra-hole against Germany’s Benjamin Miarka

By Matthias Lettenbichler

Marrakech (Morocco) – His goal is to get back to the Challenge Tour as soon as possible. But probably not in his wildest dreams he would have thought to get back to the 2nd level of European professional golf THAT quick: Tiago Cruz, a 27 year old from Lisbon, is the winner of the 2010 Samanah Classic in Marrakech/Morocco. And as every winner of the three Winter Series events in Morocco earns not only 4814 euro prize money and exactly the same amount of points for the EPD Tour Order of Merit, but also playing rights at the Moroccan Golf Classic 22nd to 25th of April, a tournament of the 2010 Challenge Tour, the great victor of the 6th tournament of the 2010 EPD Tour season has a very fast comeback on the Challenge Tour, indeed.

A comeback also Benjamin Miarka would have appreciated, Cruz’ opponent in the Samanah play-off and his colleague on last year’s Challenge Tour, too. As No. 122 (Cruz) and 127 (Miarka) of the final 2009 Challenge Tour Order of Merit they both had failed to qualify for most of the 2010 Challenge Tour events and do now try to reach 2011 playing rights via the EPD Tour.

But it was Hole 18 of the Samanah Country Club Championship Course that obviously was not the favorite playground for Miarka these days and that finally made Cruz the winner of the 30,000 euro tournament. Hole 18 is a 458 yard par 4, a dogleg left accompanied by a large water hazard almost along the entire way from tee to green on the left side. A brilliant final hole of a superb golf course that rewards the brave and accurate but punishes those playing maybe too brave – but not accurate enough.

With 8 under par Miarka got on the tee of the 54th hole of this three round tournament on Tuesday afternoon,  as the leader of the event, being one shot ahead of Portuguese Tiago Cruz who was waiting in the clubhouse with 7 under par already, having played rounds of 74, 69 and 66. But Miarka’s drive finds the water hazard and finally makes him leave the green with a bogey – play-off (73, 69, 67)!

Already in the 1st round Miarka had lost a shot on this finishing hole, just the same as Cruz. But whilst the Portuguese plays a brilliant tee shot on the 1st extra-hole, Miarka’s effort finds the water again and disappears in the depth. Just a few minutes later, after Miarka’s hit from a nasty drop-lie slumps into the water again and Cruz’ second shot securely reaches the green, the winner of the 2010 Samanah Classic is named Tiago Cruz.

A 27 year old sportsman from Lisbon that started to play golf at the age of 7 and turned pro five years ago. “This was a fantastic week here in Samanah”, he said, “I played pretty solid from the tee and especially my putting was good.” For Cruz it is his maiden victory on the EPD Tour as it was just his second ever played event on this Satellite Tour, and it is his first success outside his home country.

Third place went to Constantin Schwierz, another player from Germany, he came back to the clubhouse with 5 under par (72, 73, 66). Two time European Tour Champion Raphaël Jacquelin from France finished his debut on the EPD Tour on 18th position (76, 74, 69/+3).

Next chance for Cruz and his colleagues to reach out for another grand trophy on the EPD Tour: The Amelkis Classic, the third tournament of the 2010 Morocco EPD Tour Winter Series that starts on Thursday. Another 30,000 euro prize money will be available – and another spot for a most comfortable appearance on the Challenge Tour. pictures: EPD Tour